AN ETCHU KO-UDA KATANA Nanbokucho period (1336-1392), circa 1400 Sugata (configuration): honzukuri, iorimune, chu-gissaki, shallow toriizori Kitae (forging pattern): itame hada mixed with mokume hada in jinie Hamon (tempering pattern): ko-notare, ko-midare with ko-nie and sunagashi Boshi (tip): suguha Nakago (tang): o-suriage with kiri file marks and three holes Habaki (collar): two-piece, gold-foil Nagasa (length from tip to beginning of tang): 24 7/8in (63.1cm) Motohaba (width at start of tempered edge): 1 1/8in (2.8cm) Sakihaba (width before tip): 3/4in (1.9cm) In a shirasaya (wood storage scabbard) with inscription and attribution by Tanobe Michihiro, dated January 2001 The 19th-century koshira-e comprising a saya decorated in Wakasanuri-style lacquer, the tsuka fitted with shakudo nanakoji fuchi-gashira with a drum and a court dancer's hat in iro-e takazogan and gilt-copper menuki formed as figures playing a go board game, the oval copper plate tsuba decorated with cloud patterns in low relief With Tokubesu Hozon Token (Sword Especially Worthy of Preservation) certificate no. 146051 issued by the Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai (Society for the Preservation of the Japanese Art Sword), dated December 27, 2000