Hello every one my name is Neil and i'm a long time sufferer of being addicted to Japanese swords.
Have been a member for a while but this is my first post.
I have recently acquired this sword but trying to research it has drawn a blank which is a worry in it self. So i'm turning to you for your opinion.If nothing else its worth looking at.
It was advertised as a palace guard sword,it is a massive 151cm or 5' long in saya, 137cm -54" out with a 97cm- 38" cutting edge.
The Saya is wood bound with hand stitched leather with bronze fittings and brass wheel- all fittings seem to be bronze or brass.
The Tsuka is wood with two pieces of tin on each side wrapped in the same leather as the saya.
All holes seem to be punched all cut by hand.
But here are the problems the blade is incised a long with the Nakago The file marks run horizontal along the nakago and the rust & tarnish is bad all over hiding parts of the patterns & markings as its been unloved.
It is sharp with no signs of recent sharpening, all together it is a mystery to me not even sure its Japanese? I have put a shin gunto in the pic's to really show its size.
Any opinions would be great.
Regard Neil
