Q452. Impressively large katana signed Enju Nobukatsu Rokujuhachi Sai Saku (Made by Enju Nobukatsu at the age of 68) and dated Genji Ganen Shichi Gatsu Hi (A day in the 7th month of the 1st year of Genji: 1864).

Nagasa: 28 9/16″ 72.5 cm.

Sori: 1.8 cm.

Moto haba: 3.2 cm.

Moto kasane: .75 cm.

Saki haba: 2.1 cm.

Saki kasane: .4 cm.

Nakago nagasa: 8 11/16″ 22.1 cm.

Overall in shirasaya: 40 3/4″ 103 cm.

This sword was sold in the 1st Compton auction at Christie’s in 1992; my last 2 pictures are of the listing in their catalog. I’ll let their description of the blade’s attributes work for my listing except for what they have to say about the hada. I see itame with mokume, not pear skin. The sword is flawless and in a proper polish. At the time of the Compton sale this sword had a Tokubetsu Kicho paper from the NBTHK; it has been lost. It does, however, retain the long sayagaki by Kanzan Sato (one of the two founders of the NBTHK and The National Sword Museum in Tokyo). The shirasaya is in great condition. The habak is silver foil with a few dents in the foil.

At the Compton sale this sword realized $7,150. 2 pounds, 12 ounces. $3,750.