Signed Japanese Shin-shinto Katana in Gunto Mounts

Description

Fine quality Shin-shinto era blade with beautiful active hamon (temper line), the nakago (tang) signed “Chikuzen Daijo Taikei Naotane” on one side, with the date Tenpo 8 (1837) on the other. Naotane (1778-1857), was a famous and well-regarded blade smith, but his signature was often copied, so we do not represent this as his work. Very sharp 26 1/8” (66.4 cm) toshin (cutting edge), with ihori-mune (back blade ridge), and o-kissaki (long point). Fitted with WWII era gunto mounts, consisting of traditional same’ (rayskin grip), ito (silk braid wrap), gilt bronze menuki (grip ornaments), fuchi (collar), silver-colored habaki (blade collar), gilt copper alloy tsuba (guard), and copper alloy kashira (butt cap) with ring. Brown-painted steel saya (scabbard), with decorative copper alloy fittings and single carry ring with brown and purple company grade officer’s sword knot. Overall length 38 1/8” (96.8 cm). Blade smooth with visible hamon and hada; no nicks, but a few scratches and some minor rust at the edge. Regardless of the maker, this is a fine quality blade and the date likely accurate, but remounted for use during WWII by a Japanese infantry officer. WWII GI bring-back, recently acquired from the veteran’s nephew and new to the market.