'Black Night Shirasaya' Hand Forged Shirasaya. The 'Black Night' Shirasaya Hand Forged Minamoto Katana is a traditionally hand forged katana, made of folded steel. The folding process removes impurities from the steel, leaving only the finest quality steel. It is hammered and heated and hammered and heated until the perfect blade is formed. It is quenched for the perfect hardness. The wooden handle (Tsuka) and sheath (Saya) are lacquered black.