1807 Dated Japanese Katana Signed “Yoshitsugu” in Civilian Mounts with a Leather Combat Scabbard Cover

The katana sword has an overall length in the scabbard of approximately 39 inches, with a blade length of approximately 26 inches. The blade exhibits signs of age, with spots, scratches and smudges, but it is generally clean, while displaying a visible temper line. The tang has a single mounting hole and it is signed “Kurume-jū Minamoto Yoshitsugu” (Kurume is a city in Kyushu, about 40km south of Fukuoka). Yoshitsugu forged in both the Kansei and the Bunka eras, from the later 18th century into the early 19th century. The tang of this sword is dated “Bunka 4 [1807], a Day in February”. “Yoshitsugu’s” real name was Kaku Genbei, the son of Chikugo Yoshimasa, and he studied in Edo under Suishinshi Masahide. The grip is covered in light sharkskin, and it is tightly wrapped in the traditional manner with black fabric. Beneath the fabric on each side of the grip are figural menuki. The tsuba guard is the solid iron style. The ferrule and the grip cap all have chrysanthemum decorations. The wooden scabbard is within a dark leather combat cover. The cover has worn away at the base of the scabbard, and the upper section at the throat has separation of the snaps section, but generally the cover is intact. Overall the sword is in very good condition.