MINT ANCIENT 1684-1688 SAMURAI SHINTO BLADE*Japanese Type 19 Kyu Gunto Army Company Grade Hand Forged Sword Smith Signed ‘ANNONJI MASA YUKI KORE OTSU KURU’, With Scarce Rank Tassel Scabbard Cover/ Bag & Expert Assessment. Sn 23718 Sword

*MINT ANCIENT 1684-1688 SAMURAI SHINTO BLADE*Japanese Type 19 Kyu Gunto Army Company Grade Hand Forged Sword Smith Signed ‘ANNONJI MASA YUKI KORE OTSU KURU’, With Scarce Rank Tassel Scabbard Cover/ Bag & Expert Assessment. Sn 23718 - 23718

This superb sword has been assessed by a UK based Japanese sword expert Bill Tagg. His assessment accompanies this piece. The assessment states “A type 19 army company grade kyu gunto with antique samurai katana blade plus scarce company grade tassel, early example from circa 1886 with removeable bottom ashi (hanging ring) all mounts & fittings in near mint condition. The shinto period blade is signed annonji masa yuki kore otsu kuru on katana side, the other side signed oranda-tetsu o motte tsukuru (made using dutch steel) the swordsmith masa yuki is noted working jokyo period 1684/1688 lived in soma nakamura and is known for using nanban tetsu (foreign steel) and forging in suguha inko-nie deki with small ko-itame grain. See markus sesko book on smiths page 96 for info on this man see hawleys revised list of smiths page 375, using other titles and is rated at 15 points (above average) MA.S. 1475. This is a practically mint blade forged in yamato den style and would grace any collection, a collectors item”. In his notes Bill describes the cutting edge as 66 cm length and overall length as 85 cm. He also translates the blade signatures and describes other blade characteristics and dimensions (illustrated). A good quality cloth bag / cover with draw string also accompany the sword. (NB For info all fittings on this sword are very tight, to avoid risk of damage we have not attempted to dismantle the sword to take images of the tang). The price for this sword, with practically mint blade with expert assessment includes UK delivery. Sn 23718

£2,950.00