Blade construction: Shinogi-zukuri, Mitsu-mune. Long katana, wide in Mihaba, thick in Kasane. There is a less degree of tapering from base to point, holding less curvature leading to an extended Chu-kissaki. Magnificent katana with an air of powerful presence.(click HERE for higher resolution image of the entire blade) Forging(Hada): Forging is conspicuous large Itame-hada mixing with partial stream indication. Hiraji is covered with sparkling hard metal granules of Ji-nie. Darkish thick Nie lines of Chikei activity gushes where shows the mixtures of non-steel elements and uneven status of carbon steel to prove Shoushu tradition. Temper(Hamon): Hamon is rather on stronger side Nie hard metal granules base, Notare with mixing in of Gunome. Some partial coarse granules of Nie attaches along temper boundary line. The interior of temper is filled in of deep Noi mist and there works with short lines of NieSunagashi or Kinsen bright curved threadlike areas and Nie feet splashes into the cutting edge. Temper of tip(Boshi): Boshi forms slight Notare wave with an indication of slight Hakikake then small circle turn back. Tang(Nakago): Nakago is rather on longer side in UBU original with Ha- agariKurijiri heel. Two Mekugi-ana punches which are designed for strongly fitting into the hilt. Osujikai (greatly slanting left) filemarks with horizontal Kesho filemark. Back ridge of Nakago is a well-rounded contour with Osujikai/Kesho filemark as well. The signature inscription in front is chiselled from his home town Mino-koku Okachi sanroku-ju 美濃国御勝山麓住, name of clan Fujiwara 藤原 then smith name NAGASADA 永貞. The other side is inscribed the date of year and place of work - In the 8th month, the 1st year of Genji made in Efu (in 1864, place of Edo), it starts a new paragraph stating the result of cutting performance test saying that Yamada Genzo YOSHITOYO has body cut off from both shoulders "Ta'ta", excecuted in the new year of Ox in Senju 同号丑正月於千手太々土壇拂切手山田源蔵吉豊 Smith NAGASADA 永貞, real name Matsui Haruichiro 松井治一郎, was born on Bunka 6 (1809) in Fuwa-gu, Mino domain (now Osa, Tarui town, Fuwa-gun, Gifu pref.) as a son of a Samurai Matsui Naosaburo 松井直三郎 who belonged Buddhist temple. During disturbance period prior to the Meiji Restoration, he made up his mind to be a sword smith and to learned from Michinaga 道永 in Akasaka-Senjuin school. He was a superior of distinguished achievements to serve at the service of Kishu-Tokugawa domain or accepted an invitation to make swords from the powerful domains such as Ise-Tamaru castle town, city of Matsue or Yamashiro. During Bunkyu 2 to Keiou (1862-67) he lived at Daimyo's villa in Aoyama, Edo. He is well-known as the greatest sword maker of the Mino domain during end of Edo period bearing comparison with Kiyomaro 清麿 or Sa-no YUKIHIDE 左行秀. After the Meiji Restoration, he came back home a foot of Mr. Okachi 御勝山麓, passed away on Meiji 2 (1869), was 61 years old. The subject powerful katana was made when he was matured 55 years old at Daimyo's villa at Aoyama, Edo, made to order to perform cutting test by the official executor Yamada Genzo YOSHITOYO 山田源蔵吉豊 in his manhood 25 years old to prove that being cut off in two from the both shoulders named "Ta'ta" (the most difficult part among all) on the stage Dotanba 土壇場 carrying out at Senju 千住. This kind of inscriptions to prove the cutting performance result by Yamada Genzo YOSHITOYO are recognized also from the famed works of Takahashi NAGANOBU 高橋長信, Tairyusai MUNEHIRO, KIYONDO 清人. A very few swords made by NAGASADA 永貞 extant and almost all of them are heroic like this example to meet with increasing demand from brave Samurais on a time of upheavals. Gold foiled double layers Habaki collar, preserved in a Shirasaya mounting (Sayagaki written by Dr. Sato Kanzan) reference data : Honma Junji, Sato Kan'ichi, Nihonto Meikan/Shinto-hen 2, Otsuka Kogei sha, 1966