Wazamono Satsuma Izu no Kami Masafusa Katana with Original Mounts

Signature: Mumei, with NTHK papers attribution to Masafusa
Year Made: 1600s
Forging Pattern: Mokume
Tempering Pattern:   Suguha midare with ashi and yo with very thick habuchi.
Dimensions:   Nagasa:  73cm", Nakago:  22.6cm, Thickness at base: 7.61mm, Width at base: 31mm, Thickness at yokote: 5.32mm, Width at Yokote: 22.16mm, Sori: 13.5mm
Mountings:  In original Edo period Satsuma mounts. Original fittings down to the custom fitted seppas. Repairs to cracks in the saya, and to the tsuka knot.
Overall Condition: Very good condition. Blade is in good polish, mounts are original with some wear and repairs.

Satsuma Masafusa is rated as Josaku (High Grade) smith, with a cutting rating of Wazamono (Supreme Cutting Ability). This is a very powerful sword; thick, wide and healthy. The mounts are made for hard use, and while being of high quality, gives a very somber, grounded presence. It speaks to the Satsuma Samurai's reputation of being pragmatic, powerful, no nonsense warriors that Tom Cruise's movie The Last Samurai portrayed.