Ahhh... the katana, one of everyone's favorite sword shapes.
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I think that's due in large part to the fact that Japan's feudal era lasted for centuries and that so much care was taken to preserve these blades. Many medieval European swords were eventually melted down and repurposed into other tools or weapons. By contrast, many feudal-era katanas still survive today. Beyond that, the craftsmanship that went into ceremonial and family swords is simply remarkable.
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The Japanese are phenomenal artists and craftspeople. The care and intentionality they bring to their craft is inspiring, whether it's woodblock prints, pottery, swordsmithing, or haiku. The arts are deeply woven into Japanese culture.
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For this sword, I wanted to pay homage to that tradition while creating a culture of my own: the Isle Elves. Throughout my worldbuilding, I like to draw inspiration from the real world because I think it helps fantasy feel more grounded.
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Star Wars has always felt believable because so much of its design has real-world visual touchstones. Speeder cars resemble hot rods, ships feel worn and lived in, droids are built from recognizable mechanical parts, lightsabers look handcrafted, and even the engines of pod racers evoke the sound of Formula One cars. Those familiar anchors help sell an otherwise fantastical world.
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With this blade, I leaned into those Japanese cultural touchstones to inform the design, even studying The Great Wave by Katsushika Hokusai as inspiration for the gold filigree. I really love how this one turned out, and I can't wait to continue exploring the culture of the Isle Elves in future designs.

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