"And after he got the sword out, he said to me "hey, hold this piece of rice paper 'bout this far apart". -Lester 'one-arm' Finchley
No kidding! I was a wee nervous and did say a quick prayer for my fingers. I am sure that sword would have lopped em off as easily as it sliced through that paper!
The real old one did have the scabbard made of sting ray skin too. It is black with white dots all over it. Very beautiful.