Koto period Katana attributed to Su Mihara dated pre 1596, unsigned but attributed to Su Mihara by Nbthk Hozon Kanteisho, circa 1550. in full Japanese polish. Blade curve, straight temper line & well aged original tang are typical of the late Muromachi period. the blade is fitted with a double shakudo & gold wash habaki. the mounts are austere & hard wearing for use in the field. The iron fuchi kashira are Muromachi period with inladi tendrils. The tsuba is Edo period iron Choshu school depicting plum blossoms. Menuki are finely formed wasps, being a traditional Samurai theme. Regular suguha hamon, mokume hada, no kisu. This type of uchigatana blade emerged during the very turbulent 1500's. It is shorter than the long swords of the preceding three centuries, reflecting changes to fighting tactics, with Nbthk certificate. Dimensions, cutting edge nagasa 63 cm, width at munemachi- 7 mm, motohaba 31 mm.