An early to mid 20th century Japanese katana, Taisho or Show...

Hammer

£720

An early to mid 20th century Japanese katana, Taisho or Showa period, with Haaguri tang, stamped later for military service, skin gunto fitting, and hamon to the blade, bronze pierced tsuba decorated with cherry blossom, below fuchi, with shagrin tsuka-ito tsukamaki in gold silk, the blade, very slightly curved 72.5cm long, overall length , the original saya later covered in leather.
Notes: this sword appears to date from pre-war as a personal civilian piece modelled on an earlier style, it has later been adapted for military service, the gold coloured tassels are indicative of the rank of general, but have likely been added later.
Provenance: owned by the vendor's family since WWII when it was reputedly given to a serving British soldier directly by a Japanese officer.