Q885. Unsigned katana.

Nagasa: 26 7/8″ 68.2 cm.

Sori: 1.4 cm.

Moto haba: 3.2 cm.

Moto kasane: .7 cm.

Saki haba: 2.2 cm.

Saki kasane: .4 cm.

Nakago nagasa: 8 1/2″ 21.6 cm.

Overall in shirasaya: 38 1/4″ 97 cm.

Shinogi zukuri, koshi zori, iore mune, chu kissaki. The hada is ko-itame. The hamon is variations of choji midare, with double choji, a few box shaped choji, and a crab claw choji or 2, all in a bright and consistent nioi guchi. There are sunagashi, yo, and other hataraki. The boshi is shallow undulations ending in a slightly swept ko-maru and a medium length kaeri. There is a bo-hi carved on each side. The sword is in polish – quite well done – and is flawless. Mounted with a fold foil habaki and in competently made shirasaya.

This comes with a Hozon paper from the NBTHK in Tokyo, dated 1991 and giving it to Owari Seki. The Seki group of swordsmiths were quite successful in late Koto time (16th century). I think Owari Seki refers to a group of smiths in Owari who adapted the Seki style to their work (please correct me if I have that wrong).

In any case, this is a well made sword in excellent condition, and priced at about the cost of polish: a bargain. 2 pounds, 11 ounces. $2,750.