Original Item: Only One Available. The Japanese Katana (刀 or かたな) is a sword characterized by a curved, single-edged blade with a circular or squared guard and long grip to accommodate two hands. The design is iconic, and probably one of the best known sword styles in the world, easily identifiable even in silhouette. The official term for katana in Japan is uchigatana (打刀) and the term katana (刀) often refers to single-edged swords from around the world. Developed later than the tachi, it was used by samurai in feudal Japan and worn with the edge facing upward.

After the Meiji Restoration, its used became much less widespread, however when Imperial Japan developed large ambitions, the Katana once again returned as a sign of prestige and rank. After the war, many were brought home by returning U.S. servicemen, which how most that we see ended up in the United States.

This example dates from the later Edo period (江戸時代, Edo jidai) or Tokugawa period (徳川時代, Tokugawa jidai) of Japanese history. This is the period between 1603 and 1867, when Japan was under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate and the country's 300 regional daimyo. It is around the middle of the blade length range, and has a "Shinogi Zukuri" shape, the standard for the Katana.

This example has most likely been remounted several times, as was common for Japanese blades. This has made the file marks (yasurime) on the tang faint, and given it a lovely patina from oxidation and rust scaling. As there is no maker name on the tang, this blade is considered 無名 (mumei), or "anonymous".

The blade has the following period correct features:

- Folded steel blade (fold lines are evident on the spine and body of the blade)
- hole (mekugi-ana) in the tang is punched and not drilled
- blade has a temper line (hamon), which is visible over almost the entire blade
- blade shows grain (hada) in the body (ji), only possible with laminated steel.
- Blade wounds (kizu) or lamination artifacts are present on the blade. Both ware (lamination lines) and fukure (carbon pits) are visible.

The this example has an overall length of 36 3/4 inches, and the blade is 26 5/8 inches long. The polish is in very good condition and the blade is still quite sharp. There are some areas of light staining and oxidation, with one area of oxidation on the edge. There are also a few bends on the edge in places. The aspects of the blade are relatively easy to see, except on the KISSAKI (tip) which has the most wear. The tang (nakago) is of the futsu 普通 (regular) style, with a Haagari (asymmetrically rounded) nakago-jiri (tang-tip).

The hamon (temper line) is still visible in the light throughout the blade, and is a very attractive SUGUHA (直刃 straight) shape. Along the transition there are clear NIE crystals visible, with cloudy areas of NIOI in the body of the hamon, and some nice activity. The YOKOTE is still very faintly visible, as is the BOSHI (tip temper line), however the shape is not clear due to wearing of the polish. The body of the blade (JI) shows HADA (肌 - grain), which is of the ITAME 板目 - wood grain) pattern. There are blade wounds including ware (lamination splits) and fukure (Carbon pits) confirming that it is a traditionally handmade blade.

The simple tsuba (cross guard) is made of iron and is of the Maru Gata (round) shape, with a single HITSU-ANA accessory slot, probably for a kogatana handle. There are no SEPPA (spacers) around the cross guard, though there is a leather pad added to keep the fit relatively snug. The HABAKI is made from copper, and is definitely EDO period style, though it is missing the outer layer of copper. The fuchi (collar) for the tsuka (handle) is bronze with some embossed designs, and the end of the handle has a kabuto-gane style end cap, also made of bronze and relatively simple in design. There are two bronze menuki grip ornaments present, which are an intricate design that we cannot identify. The stingray (Sa-Me) grip is in very good condition, and the green grip wrapping (Ito) shows light wear and staining, but no major damage. The mekugi (grip peg) is a recent replacement.

The sword comes in a well fitting wooden scabbard (saya), which has a very attractive red and black swirled URUSHI lacquer finish. The scabbard has however lost the KOIGUCHI mouth fitting, and has split along much of the seam. It also has lost the KURIKATA knob on the side for a SAGEO sword cord. A piece of tassel type material has been tied around the top of the scabbard to stabilize it.

A nice Edo Period Katana, complete with scabbard and ready to display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 26 5/8"
Blade Shape: Shinogi Zukuri
Overall length: 36 3/4“
Scabbard Length: 29 1/2"

It has been over one thousand years ago that the art of making swords appeared in Japan. The swordsmiths of the time may not have known it but they were creating a legendary sword. The Samurai sword has seen combat in many battlefields. From the early days of the Samurai warrior to the fierce battles in the South Pacific during WWII.

Each hand-made Japanese blade (日本刀 - Nihonto) is unique because it is forged from multiple pieces of folded steel stock. A tremendous amount of work is dedicated to creating these pieces. They were an instrument of war as much as a beautiful artifact to adorn a room.

The traditional Japanese blade and mountings have grown to be one of the most highly desired military antiques.