Know thyself know thy sword.
The design of this keyboard is heavily inspired by the culture and legend of Japanese Samurai, an eastern warrior that wields katana as his weapon and carries the Bushidō moral code which holds loyalty, bravery, and honor above life itself.
Throughout years of arduous journey in keyboard territory, we have finally reached this ultimate point. The Bushidō code held in high esteem and our design embodies the spirit. The result is The "Samurai Katana”.
Keyboard has evolved beyond a tool. It is a space where the art, passion, and engineering perspective merge harmoniously into one.
Enter the World of Yūgen.
Yūgen suggests beauty is only partially perceived, fully felt but barely glimpsed by the viewer. We strive to produce more than just a keyboard. Behind every design lies a unique story, character and world that we pour our heart and soul into. Every aspect of our keyboard has been carefully considered and meticulously crafted, reflecting the passion and dedication we have for our work.
Weapon of Artistic Expression.
Samurai Katana is a symbol of creativity and craftsmanship. The side view design takes the imagination of a traditional Japanese sword resting on a Katana stand (Katana Kake). With this inspiration, the combination of the top case and distinctive stand design represents the primary essence of our ultimate goal.
Perceive that which cannot be seen with the eye.
As we delve into the world of keyboard design, we have no intention of being minimalistic with the aesthetic but at the same time not too overly busy to the extend that it is ruined. The strength of art shall not be concealed from sight. The design expresses art in a unique way. Everything is framed and layered together in the form of a window placed at the spot where the user will be able to admire the art itself at any moment.
The Land of Samurai.
Multiple intricate designs and iconic symbols inspired by Japan history are added. All elements are harmoniously put together and the result is an ultimate display that captures the essence of the land of samurai.
RISING SUN
SURGING WAVES
MISTY CLOUDS
HAMON
The hamon is a distinct temper line found on the blade of a Japanese sword, particularly a katana. Its history dates back to the Heian period (700 CE), where swordsmiths used clay to create a temper line that distinguished the softer spine from the harder edge of the blade.
Samurai Katana captures the beauty of the hamon through a combination of machine cutting marks and dual texturing process. All this is achieved after going through numerous rounds of prototyping, resulting in a unique effect on each keyboard that is one-of-a-kind. The hamon on the Katana keyboard is like a fingerprint, with each curve and line represents a unique identity. Just as no two fingerprints are the same, no two pieces of the Samurai Katana will be identical.
Samurai Seven
Our keyboard top is adorned with seven intricate emblems, representing the legendary samurai clans of Japan. Each emblem embodies the ideals of these iconic warrior clans and is associated with a unique color selection available for the top case.
Switch Plate
The keyboard plate boasts a color scheme of gold and black as well as silver and black, with a repeating pattern inspired by the Odoshi lacing commonly found on traditional samurai armor. The intricate and precisely woven lacing pattern was used in holding the armor pieces together.
PCB
Each switch position on the PCB is marked with a katana icon that also serves as an indication of the orientation for the switch. Multiple possible layout has been implemented to give more flexibility in catering different preferences and needs. It comes with hotswap option to accommodate faster setup.
Layout Selection
WINKEY
WINKEYLESS
WINKEYLESS
+
SPLIT SPACEBAR
Katana Kake
The keyboard stand has a distinctive design that resembles a Katana Kake, or a sword stand, which is formed from a solid metal block that gives an extra weight. Additionally, the back of the keyboard features a circular engraving with patterns inspired by Egawa, a traditional Japanese leather armor pattern.
Sound test
(Coming Soon)
As there are too many factors, that will affect the sound in a keyboard, we will be providing several sound tests based on 'general setup'. Our gasket mount keyboard will include the 'standard foams' to give enough flexibility of tuning the sound that can satisfy each individual's need.
Video will be coming out soon!
Components
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Top case (1x)
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Bottom case (1x)
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Keyboard stand (1x)
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Foreground (1x) and background (1x) art plate
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Hotswap 1.6mm FR4 PCB, no flex cut and RGB, QMK and VIA compatible (2x)
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Daughterboard (2x)
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JST cable (2x)
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USB cover (1x)
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Aluminium (1x) and FR4 (1x) switch plate
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Gasket (14x)
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PE foam (1x)
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PCB foam (1x)
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Case foam (1x)
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Rubber foot (8x)
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Screws and fasterner tools (1set)
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Artisan Tsuka USB plug (Unpainted)
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Hardcover carry case
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Microfiber cloth
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Manual
Specification
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Case material: AL6061-T6
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Stand material: AL6061-T6
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Art plate material: AL6061-T6
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Case weight: ~2.5kg (built)
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Case dimension (with stand): 36.8 x 174 x 357 (mm)
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Layout: F13-TKL-ANSI/ISO/Tsangan/SplitKeys
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Mounting style: Gasket mount
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Typing angle: 5.5°
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Plate: Aluminium and FR4 (universal layout)
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PCB: Hotswap 1.6mm FR4, no Flex cut and no RGB, QMK and VIA compatible
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Daughterboard: ai03 board
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USB mounting: Middle
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Top case color (anodized): Shingen (Red), Masamune (Blue), Nobunaga (Purple), Tokugawa (Gold), Motonari (Green), Toyotomi (Orange), Honda (Silver)
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Bottom case color (anodized): Black
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Stand color (anodized): Silver & Gold
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Art plates color (anodized): Gold Hamon (Silver background), Silver Hamon (Gold background)
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Front height (with bumps): 24mm
Note: The unique katana art plate will include a combination of dual surface textures, machining mark and semi bead blasted surface. Each piece will be slightly different and unique on its own.
