This is an exceptional Satsuma sword made by a chujo saku level swordsmith of the Satsuma period. The sword is fully signed and dated by Masahira. The Satsuma school of swordsmiths made some very fine blades and this is a fine example of this. The work on this sword is a wonderful soshu den style as in many Satsuma swords. A beautiful rolling gunome midare, the hamon has a rich nioiguchi and is abundant with hataraki/activity. The ara nie litters the top of the hamon and is quite obvious as well as kinsugi and sunagashi. This is a very strong and stout sword. The hada is deep and active with some very large areas of hada in places. The mounts have been fully restored on this sword and the blade is fully polished. The blue sageo matches the tsuka-ito and the Same is original to the tsuka. The fittings are attractive and elegant. There are large gold washed water dragons for menuki Even the habaki is specially made and not common. This sword is wide and on the larger size for a wakazashi. Overall this is a great collectable sword for anyone and would look beautiful when displayed. The open work tsuba is interesting and looks to be an older piece.

to note:
The Satsuma Rebellion (西南戦争 Seinan Sensō (Southwestern War)?) was a revolt of disaffected samurai against the new imperial government, nine years into the Meiji Era. Its name comes from Satsuma Domain, which had been influential in the Restoration and became home to unemployed samurai after military reforms rendered their status obsolete. These samurai were no longer needed for protection due to the integration of automatic rifles. The rebellion lasted from January 29, 1877 until September of that year, when it was decisively crushed and its leader, Saigō Takamori, ended his life

The large gold washed water dragon menuki are spectacular. Similar to Chinese dragons, Japanese Dragons have three claws instead of four. They are usually benevolent, associated with water, and may grant wishes.