Antique Japanese Katana Snake Koshirae Dragonfly Kodogu Nihonto Tamahagane steel traditional forged blade

Long blade katana (刀, かたな) mounted on a rare Hokkaidō (北海道) Snakeskin with Kodogu Dragonfly Koshirae 拵 and Kogai

Katana description:

Blade:
Polished: Acceptably preserved but old
Hada: Masame with Itame (highly visible)
Hamon: Gunome (somewhat weak for being polished old, but shows its attenuated form)
Measures:
Nagasa: 70,6 cm.
Sori: 1.4 cm.
Moto-haba: 3.2 cm.
Saki-haba: 2.2 cm.
Moto-gasane: 0.8 cm.
Saki-gasane: 0.5 cm.

Blade condition:

With blows signals that seem of old combat

It can be seen in the detailed photos. Polishing is as described above.

The edge and mainly the Mune shows blows that due to position and shape would correspond to a collision with the edge of another blade (please you could see it in de close-up pictures), it is possible that from fightings in the circumstances that are detailed below.

Important: The detailed photos (particularly the macros, close up pictures) show the flaws, defects, nicks, blows or scratches as much larger than they are to the naked eye. In real sight most are imperceptible.

According to unverified original source data, this Katana was used in the Satsuma Rebellion, the last war in which Samurai participated with their traditional weapons. There is no documentary evidence but due to the typology and estimated age (last years Edo period) more the above described condition of the blade... it could well be ¿...?.

Koshirae:

It is a very rare high grade Koshirae with fine quality materials.
Completely restored by a Koshiraeshi master, now the condition is good.

Kodogu:
Fuchi and Kashira: Gold covered depicted a Dragonfly (victory sign).
Menukis: Shakudō (赤銅) and Gold.
Kogai: Copper alloy and Shakudo
Estimated Kodogu age: Edo period (江戸時代)

Tsuka:
Wood: Honoki
Same: Genuine fine grain Ray Skin
Ito: Black and Red Japanese natural Silk

Tsuba:
Forged Iron - Finely engraved with a floral theme highlighting the symbolic Chrysanthemum.

Saya:
Hokkaidō (北海道) Snakeskin covered dark brown Urushi lacquered
Wood: Honoki
Koiguchi, Kurikata and Kojiri: Japanese deer horn
Sageo: Dark wine red Silk

Koshirae condition:

It can be described as good as it has been completely restored, the Silk parts (Ito, Sageo...) and others have been replaced by traditional original Japanese elements similar to the previous ones. However, it shows slight wear on the rest including attenuation of the lacquer and heavy wear on the gold that covers Fuchi and Kashira.

Bukuro (Katana bag) included:
Rayon Silk fabric with yellow cotton inner

Note: The Bukuro (Katana size textil silk bag) is a modern work of low value, it is included in this sale only for protection reason on the shipping package.

Ref.: Katana 95

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