This to is a beautiful edo period Katana.  The sword is reminiscent of the beautiful work of this era. The blade is a longish piece, suriage, with a fine hada and a wavy notare-ish gunome midare hamon. At almost 27” this blade is a wonderful piece. The hada is a fine Mokume and itame covered in ji-nie . There is a longish ko-maru kissaki . There is ji-nie all over. The sublime execution of the the ko-itame reminds one of the twinkling of stars as the ji-nie highlights the intricacies of the workmanship of the steel. The hamon is made up of a gunome-midare base which looks spectacular in this polish which is pristine. A fantastic sword with much to enjoy and appreciate. The blade is suriage but still contains most of the mei with Kiku Ichi.  Fujishiro has this to say:

NAGASHIGE SESSHÛ NO KAMI SHODAI [JÔÔ 1652 RIKUZEN] SHINTÔ CHÛJÔSAKU

                He is the third generation of Sendai Nagatoshi, is called Tashiro Shigetarô, and he received his title during the Jôô era.  (Wazamono)

Signature:              SESSHÛ NO KAMI FUJIWARA NAGASHIGE, and he also inscribed the KIKU MON.

Page 186

NAGASHIGE SESSHÛ NO KAMI NIDAI [HÔREKI 1751 RIKUZEN] SHINTÔ CHÛJÔSAKU

                He is in the Nagatoshi Mon, his initial signature was KIYOTOSHI, and he became the nidai Nagashige.  [TN: It was a long time from 1652 to 1751.  Perhaps nidai does not necessarily mean son or immediate succession.]  He also signed later as NAGASHIGE, [TN: Different kanji for “SHIGE”], and there were also times when he inscribed the KIKU MON.

Signatures:            ÔSHÛ JÛ TASHIRO KYÛEMON NAGASHIGE SAKU

                                SESSHÛ NO KAMI NAGASHIGE

                                NAGASHIGE

The Koshirae of this piece is wonderful in its simplicity. The Saya is lacquered in a high gloss red finish. The tsuka -Ito is a string style with matching Sageo. The fuchi/kashira is of a floral theme with blades of grass between. The tsuba has a hint of bsamboo amongst a plum tree. There is a person at its base on the other side. The trees are shakudo highlighted in gold. The seppa are unique and of a shakudo finish. The menuki appear to be of a flying Godess.

A great package with NBTHK paper dating from 1955.