Original Item: Only One Available. Purchased directly from a veteran's family, this is a nice condition katana in a shirasaya (resting scabbard). The blade is handmade and expertly crafted by a master sword maker due to a few tell tale characteristics that include:

- Single-hole tang

- Holes in tang are punch not drilled. Tang shows significant age.

- Folded steel blade: fold lines are evident on the spine and body of blade.

- Vibrant visible temper line ("hamon"). There is also visible crystallization along it (nie and nioi)

- The Body of the blade (Ji) shows clear grain (hada)

- Visible blade wounds (kizu) such as lamination separation and carbon pits. These only occur on hand made traditionally made blades.

Offered in very good condition with some small areas of discoloration, it is still quite sharp and has only a few small nicks. Blade length is approximately 24 5/8" and overall length 34 3/4". The blade is hand made, with multiple lamination lines clearly visible, and a clear "wave" "(hamon) temper line. The tang is of the "normal" (futsu) style with an asymmetrical pointed end (irayamagata). This is a typical classic design for the tang (nakago), and it has wear and patina indicating that it is quite old.

The blade does have several flaws, known as kizu or "wounds" in the blade. These are from delamination of the folded steel, caused by air-bubbles during the forging process. They are somewhat common, and proof that the blade is hand-made. The lines are known as "splits" (ware), and there are also several "blisters" (fukure). The blade does have some minor corrosion on the edge and blade body.

This sword is mounted in a "resting scabbard" or Shirasaya, which is intended for storing the blade when it is not in use. The hilt is in good worn condition with no splits, while the scabbard has some missing wood chunks, and is split at the seam as well, with other cracks.

A very nice example, and the perfect way to get into Japanese swords. Ready to display!

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 Samurai sword is unique because it is forged from 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 Samurai sword has grown to be one of the most highly desired military antiques.