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Item Description: I am pleased to offer this original and old hand-made Japanese sword, or Nihonto. The sword is a Shinto katana made by the well-known swordsmith Yamashiro Kunishige and certified with NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon papers. The blade and the mountings are in MINT condition. The sword has a blade length of 32.5 inches (83cm). It is a very long and stout sword, featuring a mihaba of 3.5cm and a kasane of 0.9cm. It features a well-grained, highly visible, and expertly crafted itame hada that at times becomes a burl mokume hada and mixes with a straighter masame hada. The hamon is an expertly crafted Soshu-style notare that is vibrant and full of nie and deep activities. The hamon is present the length of the blade ending in a maru boshi with some streaking kaen. The hamon is highly refined and textured, featuring activities like sunagashi, nijuba, uchinoke, kinsuji, and inazuma in and along the hamon. The workmanship in the hamon and activities are remniscent of high level Soshu workmanship from the Kamakura period.

The tang is signed Yamashiro Daijo Minamoto Kunishige and is ubu, or unshortened. Kunishige was a well-known swordsmith working as part of the famous Mizuta school from Bitchu province. Mizuta school swords were known for exceptional high quality craftsmanship. This sword is by the second generation Yamashiro Kunishige, also known as Denshichiro, who was primarily active in the 1680’s. He is highly regarded and ranked Chu Jo Saku by Fujishiro. The blade also comes with NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon papers attetsting to the authenticity and quality of the blade.

The blade comes with a shirasaya storage mounting that is in MINT condition. The blade also comes with Samurai mountings that are in MINT condition. The tsuka is silk cord wrapped and modern. The wrapping is tight and there is little to no fraying. The tsuba is iron with two accompanying seppas. The saya (scabbard) features a high quality black lacquer finish. It is in minty condition, showing little if any wear while retaining roughly 98-99% original finish. The blade is in MINT condition. There are no nicks, no rust and just a few small scratches along its length. There are no major flaws like hagire.

Given the high degree of craftsmanship displayed, NBTHK papers, and the reputation of the swordsmith, I highly recommend this sword to a collector of Japanese swords or WWII militaria.

Terms and additional items: This item is original and not a knockoff or fake. The analysis regarding swordsmith listed above is my own and while I think I am accurate, I can not guarantee that aspect as I am not an expert from NBTHK. No reserve so please bid with confidence and let me know if you have questions. I can send additional detailed photos upon request. Payment is to be made within 7 days of auctions end. If payment is not received in 7 days we will re-list the item and file a non-paying claim with ebay. Bidders must be 18 years of age or older. We reserve the right to cancel unwelcome bids. This item is not for sale where prohibited. Please review the pictures closely and ask any questions before end of auction. More pictures are available and discounts after the auction closes are not supported or allowed. Bidder pays the shipping and insurance fees for USPS Priority within the U.S. and Express Mail International outside the U.S. Virginia residents are subject to 5.3% sales tax.

Thanks very much for the purchase! Please remember to leave positive feedback if you feel satisfied with your purchase. I will ship within 24 hours of payment.