Antique Japanese Samurai Sword (Nihonto) in Shirasaya with Koshirae and NBTHK (Hozon, worthy of preservation) papers.  This blade is massive, 30 Inches, when most katana were 27inches or less, is unusual for the time period.
 
The Blade
The blade is in excellent polish with the hamon (Clay Tempering)  in suguha (straight) style with konie(small "star" like carbide structures).  It is of course folded in the traditional style with Ko-Itame Hada (grain structure) clearly visible.  The signed nakago(Tang) is in good original condition (Ubu) with no evidence of cleaning or tampering with a clear well cut signature, "Oshu Morioka Omi Sasaki Minamoto Yoshimitsu".  Which translates to Sasaki Minamoto Yoshimitsu, retainer of Morioka Clan in Oshu.   As can be seen by the age of the tang, type of yasurime(file marks on the tang) and other features of the blade, the sword was made around 1850 (Late Edo Period).  The NBTHK (Society for the preservation of the Japanese Sword) has awarded this blade Hozon (worthy of preservation).  The blade is housed in a new Shirasaya (blade protective mountings).
 
The Koshirae
The tsuka ito (Handle Binding) is tight and secure with samegawa (rayskin) featuring the higher quality emperor node. All the fittings are of good quality made during the Edo period.  The modern saya (Scabbard) is a good fit with some scrapes and scratches but still looks good.  The iron begonia themed Tsuba was made during the Edo period and is a little loose which is common for antique Japanese swords.  The Koshirae has a quality matchingTsunagi (exact replica of the blade in timber) to retain them for display.

We strongly recommend this sword as it is unusually large, papered, and in exceptional condition which makes it very collectable.  With the blade in a shirasaya and matching koshirae it makes a classy and wonderful display, fit for a museum.
 
Blade Length : 30.4 inches, 77.2cm
Overall Length : 104cm, 41 inches