ANCIENT BLADE**Early Shinto Period 17th Century Japanese Gendaito Katana Sword Blade Partial Smith Signature ‘SA GAMI KAMI (MINAMOTO NORI ?) In Protective Honoki Wood Shira Saya Resting Mounts & Expert Assessment. Sn 21503 Swords

**ANCIENT BLADE**Early Shinto Period 17th Century Japanese Gendaito Katana Sword Blade Partial Smith Signature ‘SA GAMI KAMI (MINAMOTO NORI ?) In Protective Honoki Wood Shira Saya Resting Mounts & Expert Assessment. Sn 21503 - 21503

This is an ancient Japanese Katana blade which has been assessed by UK Japanese sword expert Bill Tagg. A copy of his hand written assessment notes accompany this blade. Extracts from the assessment and notes include “Katana blade in old Shira Saya. This is an antique blade, looks to date to early Shinto period. Has had the blade shoulders (machi) moved down shortening the cutting edge & sides shaved and jiri (end) cut with chisel damaging one kanji and cutting half through another. The bottom kanji of the name is missing completely. The address & title SA GAMI KAMI MINAMOTO is not common, not many smiths used this combination. Possibly this could be SA GAMI KAMI MINAMOTO (NORI ? HIRO ?) working 1684 to 1688 Ishido school. This is educated guess work only. Only one man used this combination of titles and names, mentioned in Markus Sesko book on swordsmiths page 334. A nice study piece worthy of further research in un-touched condition”. In his illustrations of the blade he adds “cutting edge is 70 cms, total length is just 85 cms. He also describes other blade and tang characteristics and dimensions which can be seen in the images. The price for this ancient blade with original expert assessment includes UK delivery. Sn 21503

£1,450.00