Overview
This katana from the 1500s was made and signed under the handle by Swordsmith Bizen Kiyomitsu.
It has its original polished blade with boli/fullers, .256" blade stock and 1.198" blade depth, hidden tang construction. Has a copper habaki, copper seppas, black iron tuba with two pierced holes and a piece of silk cord, black iron fuchi, menukis under black Tsuka-Ito with white stingray skin, black iron kashira gane. The Saya is black lacquer, black iron fittings, the kurikata is missing.
The two holes in the tsuba show that this sword was carried by the Satsume Region Samurai. There was a time in Satsuma Prefecture that the Samurai tied a silk loop between the guard and saya. This required the Samurai to take the time to untie his sword and to think first. This prevented unnecessary killing.
The mounts are in excellent condition. All fittings match. The lacquer on the saya has some chips, of course since it was used in battle. The blade has original Japanese polish, and surface spider rust and some chips in the edge. The hamon and boshi are heathy and complete. Good condition for a 500 year old sword!