An exquisite sword that has been attributed to the Kashu smith Ietsugu. The sword is not signed but papered  to the smith that worked in the Genroku period 1688-1704.  From our research these smiths were working from the koto era and are cherished by the Japanese sword collector.   The blade has abundant hataraki which these smiths were known for. The hada quality is a beautiful itame and masame mix..  A good quality sword with no flaws. It has some very nice work in the hada and the hamon. The hamon is a gunome- midare and kinsuji and chikei can be found.  There is ko-ni and ji-nie as well.  The boshi is a wide maru with fine workings within. This blade is fully polished and stunning. The Koshirae that comes with this sword is beautiful. The Fuchi / Kashira represents a Kabuto with a very well made tsukashi tsuba. The Saya is a gloss black lacquer with groves carved, the saya was re-laquered and restored. The blue tsuka-ito with black same to contrast and a matching sageo truly add to the overall beauty of this blade: papered, polished and mounted. This would be considered an O-Tanto or Ko-Wakazashi.