ANCIENT 16th CENTURY BLADE**Japanese Soshuden School Ko (Small) Wakizashi Sword Blade In Wood Shira Saya Resting Mounts Sayagaki Signature ‘Soshu Masa Mune’ With Carry Bag / Cover & Expert Assessment. Sn 22238 Sword

**ANCIENT 16th CENTURY BLADE**Japanese Soshuden School Ko (Small) Wakizashi Sword Blade In Wood Shira Saya Resting Mounts Sayagaki Signature ‘Soshu Masa Mune’ With Carry Bag / Cover & Expert Assessment. Sn 22238 - 22238

This ancient blade has been assessed by UK Japanese sword expert Bill Tagg. A copy of Bill’s hand written notes and illustrations accompany the blade. In extracts from his notes Bill states “Ko (small) Wakizashi unsigned cut down from a larger blade. Blade shoulders (machi) moved down and tang reshaped. Looks like done along time ago with ancient rust on tang. Hard to define with alteration to tang shape but blade work looks Soshuden (School)work. There is a Sayagaki on the saya in ink experts written opinion saying Soshu Masa Mune, one man using this name nearly 800 years ago, most famous smith in history. Definitely not him but a lot of other smiths used this art name working in the 16th century more likely to be just an ordinary maker using famous name. Had work done in Japan in 20th century. Polish, polish and Shira Saya when this inscription put on by an unknown man, just his personal seal on end of saya. Interesting old blade with some flaws and tired spots”. In his illustrations of the blade he describes the cutting edge of blade as just under 34 cms. Total length just under 45 cms. He also translates the saya signature & describes other blade characteristics and dimensions (illustrated). The Wakizashi comes with a clean undamaged quilted Carry Bag / Cover. The price includes UK delivery. Sn 22238

£1,295.00