A Japanese katana, Edo period, circa 1673.

Blade with a straight vein along the edge, signed “Sesshū jū Sadanori and with a blade length of 66.5 from tsuba to kissaki. Total bed including Saya (tub) 96 cm.

Black tsuba with gold details and Kiri-kamon, tsuka with menuki in the form of black dragon and a varnished Saya in vermilion red.

Originally purchased from Aoi-Art Tokyo, Japan in 2011 with full appraisal from the Japanese Sword Museum in Tokyo operated by Nikon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai (NBTHK), The Society for Preservation of Japanese Art Swords, a National Interest Incorporated Foundation established in 1948 to preserve and promote Japanese swords that have significant historical value (national treasures), this Katana has been assessed according to SHINSA (full expert evaluation of NBTHK- National Sword Museum of Japan) as “of significant national interest” - Signature not guaranteed as sale by broadcast prior to final confirmation by SHINSA.

Data taken from previous auction in England (lot 4215002).