Beschreibung:

32.5" overall length. 33.5" overall with tsuka and saya (hilt and scabbard). Single edged sword with folding brass clamshell guard and tortoise shell grip wrap. Blade has a fuller running from copper habaki (collar) almost to tip for 24.5" length overall. Blade lacks a traditional hamon line. Guard features a cherry blossom motif to quillons and knuckle bow. Pommel cap and guard display a sunburst pattern surrounded by stippling. Guard has a single silver star installed at edge of sunburst. Dragonfly design surrounded by stippling and geometric borders. Folding side of guard is undecorated and features a spring loaded catch to lock it in the folded or extended position. Saya is sanded and lacquered ray skin surrounding a wood core. Chape and locket are brass washed copper. Locket lug displays a sunburst pattern while chape shows four cherry blossoms over ferns. Locket features a simple spring catch to lock sword into scabbard when not in use. Item is slated to be featured in the upcoming book Swords of the Emperor: A Guide to Imperial Japanese Swords 1873-1945, by renowned collector John E. Plimpton (expected to be released sometime early 2022). Condition: Very fine. Blade has a single bite near middle. Shallow pits toward spine of blade with some pinpoint oxidized spots. Four larger discolored spots to blade. Guard shows some tarnish and oxidation around sunburst and star. Wire wrap to grip has been shifted out of place. Discolored spot to knuckle bow. Chip to wood throat of scabbard over locking tab leaves tab loose and prevents it from locking firmly into recess in hilt. Lock catch for folding guard fails to lock it in open position. Locket outer finish heavily worn and tarnished. Lacquered rayskin shows few discolored spots. Chape has wear to finish at edges and tarnish to cherry blossom leaf on rear.