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 been remounted multiple times, as was common for Japanese blades. This has made the YASURIME (鑢目 - file marks) on the tang faint, and given it a lovely patina. There is also some patinated oxidation, a sign of great age, and the geometry has become "soft" from time and cleaning. The upper MEKUGI-ANA (peg hole) shows a repair, so it became "wallowed out" from wear, and then had new material grafted in. The blade also has been shortened, cut down through the process of SURIAGE. If a blade is shortened, it can only be done from the tang end, to preserve the tip of the blade (kissaki) and tip temper line (boshi). The tang on such a blade is cut straight across at the bottom (kiri), which this example is. As there is no maker name on the tang, this blade is considered 無銘 (mumei), or "anonymous", though it may have originally had one prior to shortening.

The blade has the following period correct features, indicating it is made from folded steel made from TAMAGAHANE smelted iron:

- Folded steel blade (fold lines are evident on the spine and body of the blade)
- holes (mekugi-ana) in the tang are4 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.

Offered in very good condition, the polish on the blade is definitely somewhat worn, and shows signs of cleaning using uchiko powder, made from the dust of the finest level polishing stones. This has unfortunately made some aspects of the blade faint, however it is still EXTREMELY SHARP, with no edge issues we can see, and should be HANDLED WITH CARE. The blade length is approximately 25 ⅞" and overall length 36 ¼". The tang (NAKAGO) is of the FUTSU 普通 (regular) style, with a KIRI (cut) nakago-jiri (tang-tip), which means it was almost certainly shortened in length through the process of SURIAGE

The main edge HAMON (刃文 - wave or temper line) is fully visible, and is a very attractive GUNOME-MIDARE (互の目乱れ - irregularly undulating) shape, with lots of internal activity. Along the transition there are clear NIE crystals visible, with cloudy areas of NIOI in the body of the hamon, and lots of internal lamination. Due to wear to the polish, we were not able to see any type of HADA or grain in the JI (body) of the blade, however there are definitely some WARE lamination lines and FUKURE carbon pits, only possible on laminated blades. The blade has a proper geometric KISSAKI (切先 - point of blade) with a VERY faint YOKOTE (横手 - line between ji and kissaki). The BOSHI ( 帽子 - tip temper line) is present, but worn towards the tip, and spine, so we cannot see what shape it is.

The TSUBA (cross guard) is made of iron and is of the MARU GATA (round) shape, with two HITSU-ANA accessory slots, one for a KOGAI hair ornament, and the other for a KOGATANA knife, though this set of fittings does not have either, nor are there slots for them in the scabbard. The top and bottom have a lovely pattern of holes that have brass wires running through, something we really haven't seen before. There are two SEPPA (spacers) around the cross guard, as well as a leather pad, which looks to be part of a WWII style field cover. It would originally have had a strap going through one of the holes and attach to a snap on the field cover. The HABAKI is made from copper, typical for EDO period blades, and it has great textured panels on both sides.

The FUCHI (collar) for the TSUKA (handle) is blacked pebbled bronze, and the KASHIRA (end cap) matches it exactly. There are two bronze MENUKI grip ornaments present, which are a floral designs with gold highlighting. The stingray (Sa-Me) grip is in very good condition, and is definitely not synthetic, as we can see cracking and variations in the grain size. The golden tan grip wrapping (ITO) shows light wear and a bit of fraying, 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 textured URUSHI lacquer finish, which is matte black with what look to be tiny sparkles in the surface. It has a KURIKATA knob on the side, where the included SAGEO sword cord is installed, and wrapped in the usual fashion. There is a simple copper band style KOIGUCHI throat fitting around the end to protect it.

A great Edo Period Katana in very nice polish, complete with scabbard and sageo sword cord! Ready to research and display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 25 ⅞"
Blade Shape: Shinogi Zukuri
Overall length: 36 ¼“
Scabbard Length: 29 ¼"

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.