Q843. Mumei tanto in koshirae.

Nagasa: 8 3/8″ 21.2 cm.

Sori: Almost none.

Moto haba: 2.5 cm.

Moto kasane: .8 cm.

Nakago nagasa: 2 7/8″ 7.3 cm.

Overall in koshirae: 12 1/2″ 31.8 cm.

Hira zukuri, iore mune. The hada is small itame with some mokume elements, covered in ji-nie. The hamon is gently undulating/swelling with tobiyaki and hotsure becoming something like nijuba (double hamon), all in ko-nie; quite nicely done. The boshi is kaen (flame) with a longish kaeri. The blade is mounted with a gold wash habaki, it is in polish, and it is flawless. This comes with a paper from Mr. Shibata, a scholar and prolific author, dated 1993 and giving it to Tenryushi Masataka: Settsu (Osaka), Bunsei (1820 – 1830).

The saya is a 3 colored lacquer: no cracks or chips in the lacquer. The koi guchi and kurikata are horn; the kojiri was horn also but it is missing (this is easily replaced if you have a water buffalo out back). There is a sleeve for a kogatana/kotsuka in the saya but they are missing. The tsuba is horn with, I believe, gold inlay on the rim. Fuchi and kashira are brass; the menuki are shakudo and gold.

Nice piece in excellent condition (except for the kojiri which actually is a pretty easy fix). You should be pleased. 10 ounces. $1,650.