Antique Japanese Tachi Sword (Nihonto) in Shirasaya with beautiful Tachi Koshirae.
 
The Blade
The blade is in good polish with the hamon (Clay Tempering)  in fine Suguha (straight) style.  It is of course folded in the traditional style with very fine Ko-Itame Hada (grain structure) visible.  The nakago(Tang) is Ubu (un-shortened) and is signed "Ako ju Noriyuki", which translates to Noriyuki, Resident of Ako City.  He was known to be working during the late edo period around Tenpo(1830-1844) making this blade a little short of 200 years old.  It is quite a thick and robust sword, despite being house in Tachi Koshirae, and would be a formidable cutting sword.  The blade is housed in a Shirasaya (blade protective mountings) with a crack in seam when the blade is fitted.
 
The Koshirae
The Koshirae is of the Tachi style and is of newer origins than that of the blade, possibly Showa period, before or during WWII.  The condition is good with some signs of wear from use, however it still displays well.  The Ito(handle binding) is tight, and the koshirae still retains the full Tachi regalia.
  
We strongly recommend this sword as Tachi are much rarer than katana, and usually worn by those of high social standing, making them more valuable.  This sword would make a beautiful centre piece of any Nihonto collection.  
 
Blade Length : 67.5cm
Overall Length of Koshirae : 98cm