7/23/19 - This is an authentic antique Japanese sword used by Samurai warriors during the feudal era, before AD 1860. The sword is medium length, which was very often used when travelling. It is in a “Shirasaya”, which means white scabbard, used when storing the sword at home. This sword has an attested paperwork by the Society for the Preservation of Japanese Art Sword, the most distinguished non-profit organization regarding evaluation of Japanese swords. It is classified as “Kicho Token”, which literally means "valuable sword". Overall, the katana is in excellent condition. The blade is in amazing condition. It is very shiny and very sharp. There are no signs of polishing. The Hamon patterning from when the blade was originally forged is visible and prominent. The Boshi (blade tip) is in fantastic condition. There is one very small area (about one inch) of spotty discoloration of the top of the blade. There are also a few very small marks on the blade from when it was forged. The Habaki (blade collar) is in tact and in excellent condition. It wiggles the slightest amount but it is almost unnoticeable. The Mekugi (bamboo handle pin) is in tact. Overall, the scabbard is in fantastic condition. The seams in the wood are virtually unnoticeable except for one extremely small gap on the bottom of the scabbard, near the blade opening.
