By Tomotsugu, signed TomotsuguJapan, c. 16th to 17th centuryThe blade:Hira-tsukuri with iori mune, the hamon is notare midare with a tendency towards sugi or mountains. The tang is ubu with two mekugi-ana, the tip is kurijiri, the large signature reads TOMOTSUGU. A number of swordsmiths with this name were active in the 13th to 17th centuries.The mounting:The oval-round iron tsuba has one hitsu and much patina. The decorations in takazogan with silver and gilding show a peony blossom and a wild shishi on the front side and only suggest a waterfall and plants on the rear side. The fuchi and kashira in shakudo show blossoms in takazogan and with gilt. The menuki show rapidly galopping horses with gilt saddlecloths. The saya is lustrous lacquerwork with fine red-gold spots on a black background. The kozuka shows a shishi next to a peony blossom in high relief (takazogan) over fine nanakoji, some gilt, nekogaki with gilding on the reverse.NAGASA 29.3 cm, total LENGTH 52 cmCondition: The blade is in excellent condition with very minor surface wear. The saya shows some crackling and smaller chips and the kojiri is lost.Provenance: From a Hungarian private collection.