Measuring 39 1/4 inches in overall length with a 26 inch blade showing a wavy hamon set into a gilt copper habaki. The tsuba is of extra thick silver-plated brass construction, with engraved vine accents on all sides, spacers especially shaped to fit the contours, and a set of hollow counter-guards to form a more traditional "lobed" profile. A silver-plated and vine engraved fuchi is also contoured to match, with a threaded "coiled dragon" bolt in place of a mekugi, and a series of brass grip studs down the front. In lieu of a traditional endcap, the grip terminates with an elaborately sculpted three dimensional ho-oh bird rendered in silver-finished brass (collectors refer to this as a "Chicken head"), running 9 1/2 inches in length and including a hanging ring clenched in its beak. A pair of purple cloth cords hang from the ring, with an additional woven purple/green/white cord secured to the tsuba. The tang features two mekugi-ana, with a "Showa" stamp on the left side above an untranslated four-figure signature. The saya is finished in gold-speckled black lacquer, with vine engraved silver-finished fittings, a single tachi-style suspension band, and a gold lacquer-painted motif of paulownia leaves and flowers (3-5-3 pattern). Both the paulownia and the ho-oh bird have deep association with the Japanese Imperial Family.

Good The blade shows some mild spotting, a few darkened areas, and minor rubs and handling marks, with good definition to the hamon and an overall bright appearance to the steel. Some splitting of the rayskin is visible, with light handling marks on the tsuba and other mounted components. Mild cracks and dings are present on the saya, with splitting of the seams and fine decoration. A very interesting combination of blade and fittings, which may benefit from extensive research.