A SUE TEGAI KATANA WITH A HIGO KOSHIRA-E Muromachi period (1333-1573), 15th/16th century, the koshira-e Momoyama period (1573-1615), circa 1600 Sugata (configuration): honzukuri, iorimune, o-gissaki, toriizori Kitae (forging pattern): itame hada mixed with mokume hada with jinie Hamon (tempering pattern): suguha based in nioi and nie with sunagashi Boshi (tip): ko-maru Nakago (tang): o-suriage with one hole and kiri file marks Habaki (collar): one-piece, gold-foil Nagasa (length from tip to beginning of tang): 26 5/8in (67.6cm) Motohaba (width at start of tempered edge): 1 1/4in (3.1cm) Sakihaba (width before tip): 3/4in (1.9cm) In a shirasaya (wood storage scabbard) with attestaion written by Sato Kanzan dated early summer, 1977 The Higo koshira-e comprising a black-lacquer saya with a rough finish mounted with a silver pebbled kojiri, the slightly elongated tsuka wrapped in black leather in Higo style and mounted with shakudo fuchi-gashira carved with waves in low relief, the shakudo menuki with gold overlays formed as warriors in boats, the shakudo migakiji tsuba decorated with rolling waves in takabori, signed Yoshitsugu The blade with Koshu Tokubetsu Kicho Token (Especially Precious Sword) certificate no. 11169 issued by the Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai (The Society for the Preservation of the Japanese Art Sword), dated April 30, 1977 and Hozon Token (Sword Worthy of Preservation) certificate no. 3007464 issued by the Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai (The Society for the Preservation of the Japanese Art Sword), dated February 5, 2015