Small Hole In Nakago?

[Fuuten]

Hello everyone,

 

While doing the daily browsing I came across the following piece. This topic isn't so much about the piece being genuine, but more about the small hole in the nakago, i don't think i have seen this before. Its listed as 1 mekugi ana so i'm wondering what function the small pinhole could serve?

 

-> http://www.aoijapan.com/katana-hizen-kuni-ju-minamoto-munetsugu-signature-not-guaranteed

 

 

 

 

Thank you all in advance,

 

Axel

 

 

[Geraint]

Hi Axel.

 

I wonder if this is the result of someone drilling a hole for fitting gunto koshirae?  I have a kaigunto with a small hole in the silver foiled habaki where someone was a little enthusiastic drilling a pilot hole for one of the screws securing the koiguchi to the saya.  Admittedly you would really have to let your mind wander to drill right through the nakago but..........

 

All the best.

[Jean]

Moth....

[lonely panet]

its a odd little hole, done after the Mei was struck by the look of the burling on the hole.

 

but would it be considered a flaw?

[Fuuten]

Hi, thank you all for chiming in..

 

I think the most likely reason for the hole is to fit some kind of koshirae, however it doesn't look that new, so its still a riddle (for me).