By Kunihisa, signed Kunihisa Japan, probably 16th century, late Muromachi period (1336-1573)
The blade: Shinogi-zukuri and iori mune, the hamon with an animated toran-ba. The nakago (tang) with one mekugi-ana, no yasurime, the tip is kurijiri. The mei (signature) shows two abbreviated characters KUNIHISA. Master swordsmiths with this name have lived in a wide array of different places, most of them before the Edo period.
The mounting: The oval iron tsuba with ryohitsu and silver-inlaid decorations and a geometric pattern around the rim. One side shows two confronting dragons, one with gold nunome. The bronze fuchi and kashira with partly bold gilt, the fuchi showing dynamic wave swells, the kashira showing a dense composition with a gilt male and female deer under a pine tree. The menuki show Daruma, his naked belly and bald head gilt. The saya with deep black high-luster roironuri. The kozuka with a wave design in relief, signed Omori EISHU to the reverse. The slender iron blade with file-mark pattern and inscription.
NAGASA 32.3 cm, blade LENGTH 45 cm, total LENGTH 50 cm
Condition: The blade and mounting are in excellent condition with minor surface wear. Provenance: Hungarian private collection.