Featured in this lot we have a Koto period or early Shinto Japanese katana blade set in a Shirasaya with a koshirae. The blade was forged by Mumae in the Koto or early Shinto period. The blade displays Damascus construction with a New Japanese polish done in 1980 by Mr. Yamishita. 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 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 plain shibuichi oval tsuba. 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.