Naokatsu Tanto: Opinions?

[Hoshi]

I'd be curious what the board thinks of the Naokatsu tanto. It's late work, one year before his death - so it's mature work from the top of his career. I find the package splendid at first sight, and I've been on the prowl for a Naotane school tanto/short sword for a long time now as one of my collection goals. I find the period koshirae beautiful, and it's exceedingly rare to find a package with a historical koshirae left intact... 

 

http://www.bonhams.com/auctions/24721/lot/423/

 

It's a little difficult to appraise the blade from the images, while the resolution is very high - the lighting is really no good to judge the nie or jigane. 

 

I'd love to hear opinions from the board on this item. 

 

Thanks in advance! 

[Ken-Hawaii]

Not only is it a great-looking package, both blade & koshirae have TH origami - hard to go wrong with that combo! You can contact Bonhams & ask them for specific photos; I've done that in the past.

[Bazza]

What is very interesting is that the kogai "blade" is iron, like a kogatana, and fits into the kogai "handle" similar to a kozuka.  Never seen it before.

 

BaZZa.

[BIG]

Chris good luck for this tanto..

 

Best