This is an original Koto to early Shinto period, circa 1450-1600, Japanese Shinogi-Zukuri Katana with Koshirae setup and period Tsuba, often referred to as “Samurai Sword”, with original paperwork. This was found to be authentic and offered by Bonhams & Butterfield in 2004 at lot 4049 and given a value of $6,000-$8,000. The blade is considered Mumae, also referred to as Mumei which stands for no signature. This is a classic Japanese forging, similar to Damascus which has been professionally polished by Mr. Yamishita in 1980. The blade is set in a Shirasaya, a traditional way of storing, transporting, or displaying blades. The all wood construction and seamless design is commonly used to display blades, with the Shirasaya lacking the tsuba for protection or any of the other traditional sword funishings. The blade displays a shinogi zukuri grind to the blade with a koshizori curve to the piece. The koshirae (sheath or holder) displays wood construction with a black laquer finish across the saya with a hammered copper and pewter fuchikashira. The grip shows ray skin with traditional cloth wrappings and a Kaga School Tsuba with gold inlay depicting a dragon in place over a wooden blade allowing the koshirae to be displayed without the true blade. The piece comes with an additional shibuichi oval tsuba. The Tsuba and Koshirae are both from the 19th Century, 1800’s with a contemporary black lacquer. This blade and koshirae were featured and sold by Bonhams & Butterfields fine art Auctioneers in 2004 under lot 4049 along with other blades. The blade comes with copies of the Bonhams & Butterfields catalog along with copies of its original paperwork. The blade also comes with a set of photos from their acquisition in 1980 along with a slip of paper showing the blades details. The blade and koshirae each come with a proper sword sleeve and shows wonderful condition overall. The blade measures 36 7/16" long overall including the tang with the cutting edge measuring 27 3/16" long. The koshirae measures 39 1/2" long overall. The blade, koshirae, and accoutrements weigh 5lbs 2oz.