The sword measures 31 3/4 inches overall with a 23 5/8 inch blade, which shows a vibrant and wild hamon and an impressive 2 3/4 inch long point, and is fitted with a silver foil wrapped bronze habaki with diagonal serrated engraving. The iron tsuba is round, with heart-shaped cutouts on either side and a single gilt copper seppa top and bottom. The mountings include a matching iron and gold fuchi and kashira set with sculpted engraving of samurai in a canoe, a light brown cord wrap and a pair of darkened copper horse menuki. The nakago is signed with 4 symbols on the left side and eight on the right; a consignor-supplied translation states that it is a signature of "Inouye Shinkai" and a date of February, 1679. With a black paint finished saya, showing a textured surface and blackened copper/dark horn fittings.

Very fine. A few tiny chips are visible on the edge, with a few areas of open grain and scattered light scratches. The nakago shows a fine dark color. The fittings are very good, with some of the foil absent from the front edge of the habaki, a dark brown patina on the tsuba, and mild handling marks overall. The seam of the rayskin is opening slightly. The saya is good.