Single-edged weapons.

[Ryoma]

The only weapon I own is a standard blue sword built to katana proportions (28-inch blade, 10-inch handle, not including pommel). The B.O.W. states that single-edged weapons must have their striking edge marked with a twelve-inch piece of contrasting tape.

I've been thinking of painting a simulated o-midari hamon line along one side of the blade for aesthetic effect. For those of you who aren't familiar with Japanese sword terminology, this is a hamon line:



If I were to clearly mark the striking edge this way, would I still be required to use tape?

[Kegg]

According to the Book of War and any national ruling the answer is... Yes, you still need the tape.

Some realms on a week to week basis allow a well denoted cover or other markings. Numenor allows a weapon to be clearly marked with constrasting cloth covers (i.e. a completely blue cover, with a black cloth stripe on the non-striking surface).