Katana (1) - Acero Damasco / Hierro Damasco - Ushū Yonezawa Ju Chōunsai Katō Tsunatoshi - Ushū Yonezawa Ju Chōunsai Katō Tsunatoshi 羽州米澤住長運齋加藤綱俊 - Japón - Periodo Edo (1600-1868)

Nihonto Katana Kato Chonsai Tsanatoshi forged and signed in 1837 in Shirasaya.

According to the previous owner, an American soldier obtained this Katana during World War II, it was then sold in Australia to a private collector, and it was eventually sold to a Japanese private collector and finally made its way back to Europe.

The sword is in good condition, no rust, no 'hagire' and no serious damage that could compromise its integrity.

From the photos you can see every inch of the sword. The hamon is beautiful and clear thanks to a professional polishing. You can see the texture, the tamahagane alloy, the hada grain and the forging patterns.

It has a beautiful signature containing the date of forging: 'on a great day in 1837', something that adds authenticity and value to the sword. It is signed by the master forger of nihonto Ushū Yonezawa Ju Chōunsai Katō Tsunatoshi 羽州米澤住長運齋加藤綱俊 who lived in the province of Musashi in the Tenpō Era (1830-1844).
This forger is rated at ¥4M (4 Million Yens Nihonto) in the prestigious Toko Taikan ranking.

The sword is registered in Japan both with the Agency for Cultural Affairs as a work of art and with the Board of Education ('The Board of Education: Cultural properties protection Committee').

Each sword so registered, in order to leave Japan, is given a registration card issued by the Board of Education. The original document must be held in Japan by law, but a photo of it can be viewed in the photos.

Measurements taken by hand (and therefore not accurate to the millimetre):
Nagasa (cutting edge length): approx. 69.6 cm
Sori (curvature): approx. 1.4 cm

Nakago: approx. 21.5 cm