Signed tang, blade with pronounced hamon, pierced bronze tsuba with chrysanthemums, bound ray skin grip having gilt Imperial chrysanthemum menuki on both sides, pierced pommel, painted steel scabbard with gilt fittings.

Blade 26 in.; LOA 36 in.

Private Collection, Governor's Club, Chapel Hill, North Carolina

The blade is free of rust and has only a very few nearly microscopic nicks; wear to gilt exposes old mellow toning on brass elements; fraying to fabric wraps on the grip; moderate rust to the scabbard with considerable paint flaking. A superior, all-original Japanese sword.

$600 - 900