Papered Shinshinto Copy of Kinju Nagamaki Naoshi Katana by Suketoshi

Signature:  Mumei.
Year Made: Shin-Shinto era 
Forging Pattern: itame/mokume
Tempering Pattern: Suguha midare in nie.
Dimensions:  Blade Length:  28 inchesNakago: 7.75 inches 3 mm thick and 35 mm wide at Hamachi
Mountings:  Japanese made shirasaya and a beautiful solid silver "moss" pattern habaki.
Overall Condition:  Excellent, newer polish by a Japanese polisher. The nakago is so rusted for a Shin-Shinto sword because it was found by an American dealer in a pile of Japanese swords owned by the shop keeper of a Chinese sword dealer in Thailand. The Japanese swords had been left outside since the war. The sword is a magnificent copy of a nagamaki naoshi Juyo Token katana by the famous Mino smith Kinju. Even the length is almost identical. I Have seen the Kinju sword and it was something to have seen them both. This sword only carries Hozon papers from the NBTHK but is a beautiful piece with a lovely hada and streaks of ji-nie up and down the hamon and in the 4.75 inch long kissaki, which in itself is something to behold. Suketoshi is from the Naoe school and is said to have studied under the famous smith Naotane. He once made a tanto for Princess Banrikoji, that had "your life" inscribed on it that she treasured so much she had it mounted in gold and silver lacquer mountings. This is a beautiful and impressive katana that will turn some heads and would be an excellent addition to any collection.