SWORD
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SHORT:  a black dragon katana
OTHER SHORT NOUNS:  sword, blade


LONG:
This marvel of a sword looks almost plain. However, small details
show this sword to be unique. The slightly curved single-edged
blade with its blackened fuller, the blackened steel tsuba, the
leather-bound tsuka or the ornamented kashira. All these details
show a perfection that betray the work of a master.


COMPONENTS:

BLADE
The single-edged blade bears a darkened fuller along its back. The
fuller allows not only for the blood to run off more quickly, it
also reduces the weight of the blade and stabilizes it, thus
allowing for even more precise and well aimed hits. Along the sharp
edge the wavy hamon, or blade pattern, can be seen. Hundreds and
thousands of parallel lines show the many folded steel.

TSUKA
The white ivory of the tsuka, or hilt, is attached to the blade
with solid silver studs. Almost all of the whiteness of the ivory
however is covered by a rough thin leathery material, except for
small diamond shaped areas around the studs. Upon closer inspection
the leathery material reveals itself as black dragon hide. The
roughness along with the silver studs assures a firm grip even in
the heat of battle.


TSUBA
This ornamented, circular piece of blackened steel protects the
hands during a fight. A black dragon figure curls around the blade
in its center.

KASHIRA
The kashira, or pommel, is made from massive silver and has a black
adamantite ornamentation embedded. It must be the mark of the master
smith that forged this weapon.

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