A CHISA-KATANA THE KOSHIRAE MEIJI PERIOD, LATE 19TH CENTURY |

Sugata [configuration]: Hon-zukuri with bo-hi, shallow tori-zori, chu-kissaki and iori-mune Kitae [forging pattern]: Muji hada Hamon [tempering pattern]: Midare but based on suguha in ko-nie Boshi [tip]: Ko-maru with kaeri Nakogo [tang]: Ubu with 2 mekugi-ana, ha-agari kuri-jiri, mumei Nagasa [length from kissaki to machi]: 60.8 cm, 24 in.Saki-haba [width at the yokote]: 2 cm, 11/14  in.Moto-haba [width at the machi]: 3.1 cm, 1 2/9  in. In koshirae with silver mounts, which include kabuto-gane, ko-jiri, koi-guchi and kurikata all in silver depicting turbulent seas, the menuki are of dragons in gold, both tsuka and saya are in an angled ribbed lacquer in iroe hiramaki-e imitating strips of same, the shakudo tsuba of Iri-mokko-gata form with a dragon carving in kata-kiri, signed Kaei 4 [1851] Doshi Moto Saku, Goto Homyo Ichijo (Kao) Accompanied by a certificate of registration as Tokubetsu Hozon Token [Sword Worthy of Preserving] for the tsuba, issued by the Nihon Bijitsu Token Hozon Kyokai [Society for the Preservation of the Japanese Art Sword].