Measuring 17 inches in overall length, the broad 12 inch blade shows a fine, slightly wavy temper line and a delicate, subtle grain pattern. An asymmetrical pair of interrupted bo-hi grooves are present on the left side, interrupted by a symbol described in a consignor-supplied translation as the seed syllable for "Fudo Myoo", the Japanese name for the Buddhist deity Acala, and on the right side is a deeply carved and finely executed panel scene of the same deity 3 7/8 inches long and 5/8 inches wide, standing in front of a waterfall, wreathed in flame, with a double edged sword in their right hand and a noose in their left. Titled the "Noble Immovable Lord" and one of the Five Great Wisdom Kings of Buddhist tradition, Fudo Myoo holds a prominent role in Japanese Buddhism as a remover of obstacles and destroyer of evil, as well as a protector of the Imperial Family and the Japanese state as a whole. A silver plated habaki is installed, and the tang bears one mekugi-ana, 6-figure signature on the right and the left showing a polisher's mark under the habaki, a 6-figure signature and a personal stamp. The supplied translation gives this as a date of August 1820 and signature and personal stamp of Suishinshi Masahide, a notable bladesmith regarded as the founding father of the "shinshinto" era of sword construction, a revival of classical techniques with an emphasis on function and reliability over cosmetic embellishments. The furniture is shirasaya pattern, with horn collars and a taped-on Japanese language note on the saya. Includes a hardwood case.

Very fine, with some tiny edge nicks, bright surface, and well defined hamon. The embellishment on the sides of the blade is sharp in detail and well executed, representing a level of decoration rarely seen on blades of this type. The furniture is in fine order.