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 definitely a long blade for a Katana, close to the that usually seen for the longer TACHI, and it has a "Shinogi Zukuri" shape, the standard for the Katana. The blade is also quite heavy compared to those we usually see, as well as very wide, measuring 1 5/16" at the HA-MACHI, and still 1 1/4" wide 2/3 down the length of the blade. We used calipers and at the HA-MACHI the blade is 0.28" wide across the SHINOGI blade ridge. It also features a very long KISSAKI (blade tip), and is relatively straight in shape. Definitely a very interesting blade that would have been quite formidable in battle, if one had the strength to wield it effectively.

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 very faint, and given it a lovely patina. There is also some patinated oxidation, a sign of great age, and the geometry has become a bit "soft" from time and cleaning. 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)
- 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.

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, as well as "softened" the geometry along the SHINOGI blade ridge. The edge is still relatively sharp, however it does have a 3mm x 1mm chip, as well as some smaller dents and a small cut, probably from striking another blade edge on. There is no major rust or oxidation damge that we can see, so it looks to have been well cared for. The blade length is approximately 27 ¼" and overall length 38". 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 mostly visible, and is a very attractive TOURAN MIDARE (濤瀾 乱れ - irregular high billowing wave) shape. 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 and other activities. 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 clear YOKOTE (横手 - line between ji and kissaki). The BOSHI ( 帽子 - tip temper line) is present, and is of the Ō-MARU (大丸 - large round turnback) shape. We also noted that the kissaki is 2 1/4" long, far longer than we usually see.

The TSUBA (cross guard) is made of iron and is of the MOKKO GATA (Quince) shape, with two HITSU-ANA accessory slots, one for a KOGAI hair ornament, and the other for the KOZUKA handle of a KOGATANA knife, though the latter has been filled in with blacked bronze. This set of fittings does not have either accessory, nor are there slots for them in the scabbard. The top and bottom have lots of stamped in designs, some of which look to be worn kanji, and there are also gold highlighted vines and other plant designs. It definitely shows great age, with a lovely oxidized patina overall. There are five SEPPA (spacers) around the cross guard to keep it stable, however it currently wobbles, so there may be some missing. The HABAKI is made from copper, typical for EDO period blades, and it has silver plating and some designs engraved into the sides.

The FUCHI (collar) for the TSUKA (handle) is brass, and the KASHIRA (end cap) matches it exactly, with perforated design that matches the fittings on the scabbard. There are two bronze MENUKI grip ornaments present, which gold highlighted warrior designs, one with a sword, and one with a long bow.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 dark blue green grip wrapping (ITO) shows very little wear, and looks to have been re-wrapped professionally at some point during the 20th century. 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 black, but in areas looks to be red underneath. It has a KURIKATA knob on the side, where a SAGEO sword cord could be installed, but is not included. The scabbard features stylized brass fittings, with a long SAYAJIRI end fitting and also a KOIGUCHI throat fitting. There is even a fitting around the KURIKATA, and all have the same motifs, which match the KASHIRA on the handle. Condition is very good, though there is cracking on both side seams, which are currently open, but could be repaired.

A great Edo Period Katana in very nice polish with a VERY substantial lade, complete with a lovely matched scabbard! Ready to research and display!

Specifications:
Blade Length: 27 ¼"
Blade Shape: Shinogi-Zukuri (鎬造)
Overall length: 38“
Scabbard Length: 29 ⅛"

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.