Jin Sakai's katana is one of the most recognisable weapons in modern gaming. Clean lines, a traditional Japanese silhouette, and a design that carries the full weight of his story. The blade of a samurai trying to hold onto who he is while becoming something the island needs him to be.
If you are here because you want one for your collection, you are in the right place. If you are here because you want to understand what makes each variant different before you buy, even better. We stock three Jin Sakai display katanas plus the hand-forged tanto, so let us break down exactly what each one is.
Ghost of Tsushima and the real history behind Jin's sword
Ghost of Tsushima is set in 1274 on Tsushima Island, during the first Mongol invasion of Japan. That is not an invented backstory; it is a real historical event. The Mongol forces under Kublai Khan landed on Tsushima and overwhelmed the island's samurai defenders before pushing towards the Japanese mainland. The game takes that moment and builds Jin Sakai's story around it: a samurai who survives, adapts, and eventually becomes something the samurai code has no name for.
The weapon Jin carries throughout all of this is a katana. In real feudal Japan, the katana was the primary weapon of the samurai class. A single-edged curved blade, typically between 60 and 80cm in length, worn edge-up through the belt. The curve is not decorative. It is functional, allowing for faster draws and more powerful cutting strokes than a straight blade. The katana was usually paired with a shorter blade, either a wakizashi or a tanto, worn together as a matched set called a daisho.
Jin carries a katana and a tanto. That is historically accurate to the period. The game takes that detail seriously, and it is one of the reasons Ghost of Tsushima resonated so strongly with fans who appreciate the craft behind the setting.
The Sakai Katana and what it represents in the game
Jin Sakai carries the Sakai clan katana throughout Ghost of Tsushima. It is not a flashy weapon. It does not glow or shift form or carry some supernatural power. What it represents is something more grounded: lineage, duty, and the tension between the samurai code Jin was raised on and the ruthless pragmatism the Mongol invasion forces him to adopt.
The sword never changes in the game. What changes is the man holding it. That is a fairly elegant piece of storytelling, and it is a big part of why the replica resonates so strongly with fans. Owning it is not just about the weapon. It is about what it stands for in the narrative.
The three variants and what is actually different
All three katanas in our range share the same core specs:
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Overall length: approximately 102cm
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Blade length: approximately 68cm
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Blade material: carbon steel
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Guard: approximately 10 x 7.5cm
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Weight: approximately 1.2kg
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Includes sword and scabbard
The difference between them is aesthetic, tied to the in-game sword kit customisation system. Ghost of Tsushima lets players modify the appearance of Jin's katana through sword kits, changing the blade colour, tsuba (guard), tsuka (handle wrapping) and saya (scabbard) design. The three variants we stock correspond to three distinct looks from the game.
Jin Sakai Display Katana (Black)
The black variant is the one most associated with the Ghost identity. Dark blade, dark scabbard, minimal ornamentation. This is Jin at his most stripped back, the Ghost of Tsushima rather than the Sakai samurai. It is the most popular variant we sell and the one that photographs best on a display stand.
Shop the Black Jin Sakai Katana — £80
Jin Sakai Display Katana (Blue)
The blue variant leans into the more traditional samurai aesthetic. The blue-tinted blade and detailing connect more directly to Jin's heritage as a Sakai clansman and echo the visual language of classic samurai imagery throughout the game. If the black variant is the Ghost, the blue variant is the samurai.
Shop the Blue Jin Sakai Katana — £80
Jin Sakai "Storm" Display Katana (Straight Blade)
The Storm variant is the most distinctive of the three. Where the black and blue versions have the traditional curved katana profile, the Storm is a straight blade, visually closer to a ninjato than a classical katana. It is based on one of the more striking sword kit combinations available in the game and makes for a genuinely unusual display piece, particularly if you already own one of the curved variants and want something that looks different on the shelf.
Shop the Storm Jin Sakai Katana — £80
The Tanto and Jin's secondary blade
Jin carries a tanto alongside his katana, and it has its own distinct role in the game. Early on it is used practically, cutting ropes and freeing hostages. As the game progresses and Jin embraces the Ghost's methods, it becomes his assassination tool. It is the blade that most clearly marks the line between samurai and ghost.
In real Japanese sword history the tanto occupied the same space. A short single or double-edged blade between 15 and 30cm, primarily designed for close-range use and carried by samurai as a companion to their longer sword. Before the wakizashi became the standard companion blade, it was common for samurai to carry a katana and tanto together, exactly the combination Jin uses.
Our Ghost of Tsushima Handforged Tanto is a step above a standard display piece. Handforged means the blade has been individually worked rather than mass produced, and it shows in the finish. Price: £80. Includes tanto and sheath.
Which variant should you buy?
If you want one piece that best represents Jin's full arc as a character, the black variant is the answer. It captures the Ghost identity that the whole game builds towards and it is the most versatile display piece.
If you are more drawn to the samurai side of Jin's story, the blue variant is the one.
If you want something that stands apart visually, particularly if you already have a curved katana in your collection, the Storm variant is genuinely striking and less commonly displayed.
And if you want to go the full daisho route and display a matched katana and tanto together, any of the three katanas pairs naturally with the hand-forged tanto. That is about as close as you can get to a proper Ghost of Tsushima shelf display.
Displaying and caring for a carbon steel katana
Carbon steel is the standard material for display katanas at this price point. It looks great, holds its finish well, and gives the blade a proper weight and feel. It does need a small amount of care to keep it looking its best.
Keep the blade dry. Carbon steel will develop surface rust if left in a damp environment or handled frequently without cleaning afterwards. A light wipe with a dry cloth after handling is all it takes. If you want to go further, a very light application of mineral oil or camellia oil, traditional blade care products used by Japanese sword makers, will protect the surface and keep the finish clean.
For display, a single katana stand keeps the sword horizontal and visible. If you are displaying a katana and tanto together, a double stand gives you both on a single base. Worth planning before the blades arrive.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Jin Sakai katana sharp?
No. All replicas in our range are blunt-edged and intended for display only. They are not suitable for combat or cutting practice.
What size is the Jin Sakai katana?
Approximately 102cm overall length with a 68cm blade. Weight is approximately 1.2kg. All three variants share these dimensions.
Which Ghost of Tsushima sword should I buy?
If you want the most iconic single piece, go with the black variant. It is the Ghost identity in sword form and the most universally recognisable of the three. If you want to collect all three, the black, blue and Storm variants each look distinct enough on a shelf that they work as a set.
Does the replica come with a scabbard?
Yes. All three katana variants include a scabbard. The tanto also includes a sheath.
What other Ghost of Tsushima replicas do you stock?
Browse our full Ghost of Tsushima collection for everything currently in stock.
About The Sword Stall
All stock is held in our warehouse in Bacup, Lancashire. No dropshipping, no customs issues, no waiting weeks for something to clear a port. As a new customer you will need to provide age verification before we dispatch, a quick one-time process.
