Japanese Tanto Handle — Custom Gear Shift Object

Exclusive 3D sculpting of jewelry.

An exclusive car accessory — a gear lever created in the form of a tanto handle, with a bas-relief of a geisha's head, based on motifs of an ancient Japanese engraving.

The geisha motif used here was originally developed for the Ignition Key Inlay and later adapted into the upper part of the handle, maintaining visual continuity across the project.

The primary focus of this piece was the handle itself — developed as a precise replica of a traditional Japanese tanto handle.
Every element was executed with strict attention to authentic construction — proportions, curvature, stingray skin texture, menuki, the wrapping of the cord, as well as the tsuba (guard), which was designed as a unique decorative element specifically for this project.

This required detailed study and understanding of Japanese sword craftsmanship.
All elements were recreated with high precision, following the same principles used in real katana and tanto.

The form of the traditional handle was carefully adapted into a functional automotive object, preserving its structure while integrating it into a completely different context.

This piece was developed as part of the same commissioned project as the geisha ignition key, forming a unified design concept.

— This work was developed during a period of deep personal immersion in Japanese martial culture, which informed the level of accuracy and attention to detail. —

November, 2011