Fine Signed Japanese Wakizashi-Length Sword with NTHK Documented Edo Period Tsuba
Measuring 27 3/4 inches overall, with a 20 inch blade showing a wavy hamon and set into a brass habaki with engraved floral motifs on the right and cloud motifs on the left. The round tsuba is of blackened copper construction, with a finely shaped floral pattern on the top and a golden fu dog on the underside, with both motifs repeated on the fuchi and matching fu dogs on the kashira and menuki. The saya is finished in black lacquer. A single mekugi-ana is present on the tang, with a 5-symbol carved signature on the left side. The tsuba was submitted for inspection at a NTHK event in 2004, where it was rated at 72 points and attributed to the late Edo period; the "white paper" certificate is included.
Fine overall. The otherwise fine blade shows patches of spotting and oxidization, with the remainder bright and showing a strong hamon. The saya shows mild cracking and flaking, otherwise the furniture is very fine.
