Sold via Online Consultation — The Dragon in Black Lacquer

This katana was sold through an online consultation.

This katana is a refined and dignified masterpiece, featuring a deep black lacquered scabbard adorned with delicate raden (mother-of-pearl inlay).

The blade dates to the late Edo period through the Bakumatsu era — an unsigned (mumei) yet unmistakably masterful work.

Its fittings exude the quiet strength and elegance of the samurai aesthetic from the Sengoku to early Edo periods: a hilt wrapped in dark green cord over golden-brown samegawa (ray skin), paired with an iron tsuba decorated with a dragon motif. The overall impression is one of noble restraint and timeless beauty.

The blade itself is broad and thick with a graceful koshi-zori curve and a medium-length kissaki. The hamon is a gentle notare mixed with gunome, while the jigane shows a tightly forged ko-itame hada, bright and clear in appearance. Its slightly larger kissaki adds a touch of boldness to its otherwise elegant form.

Measuring 102 cm in total length and weighing 669 g, this sword strikes a perfect balance of form and function — ideal both for iai practice and for display.

The exterior mounting is a work of art in itself: a black ishime-nuri finish scattered with mother-of-pearl, and fittings (fuchi-kashira and menuki) featuring floral and dragon motifs. Every detail reflects the refined taste and authority of the warrior class.

It is rare to find a katana where both the blade and the koshirae remain in such remarkable condition. This piece stands as a superb example of Edo craftsmanship — a sword of true harmony between beauty, power, and history.