KATANA by NOBUKUNI YOSHIMASA.   (72.9 cm.)

Here is a Katana by Nobukuni Yoshimasa, most commonly called Heishiro, who worked during the Kambun period and died circa 1688 at age 67. He is rated Jo Saku (best work), eighty points in Hawley and the blade bears a solid silver Habaki, a Bo Hi, which extends into the Nakago and is mounted in a Good Shirasaya. It is accompanied by a beautiful Handachi Koshirae of rare Aogai lacquer, with Shakudo and gold fittings and a Hozon Origami from the N.B.T.H.K.. The Koshirae is contained in a silk brocade sword bag with a design of leaves.