Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Japanese sword, with exceptionally long and heavy Shin-Shinto Katana blade, the slightly curved 76.5cm blade of shinogi-zukuri form, the long nakago with a second mekugi-ana towards the jiri, signed Bakkashi Hosokawa Masayoshi and deeply stamped with a kao or seal, dated Kayai second year (1849) although blackened and discoloured overall, the hamon of a very deep chogi-midare pattern is clearly visible, retaining its shakudo habaki and long 28cm tsuka, the shakudo fuchi kashira decorated with dragonflies and menuki of gilt shi-shi, lacking tsuba and saya etc., and condition of blade as noted £500-600