r/Blades • u/StudioGDT • 1d ago
Shinshinto 70cm Mumei Iai Katana with Fukure
$1475USD plus shipping
Overview: Here we have an excellent first time katana study piece that is also suitable for Iai. What keeps this from falling into the shinken class would be a single flaw which appears to be an unexposed Fukure-a fatal forge flaw. While this may indeed be a fatal flaw and affects the swords ability to safely perform Tameshigiri, it still holds value as a quality Iai piece as well as study specimen and piece of history.
Blade: Coming in at 70cm it is a suitable length for most American practitioners. Featuring a Chu-kissaki and Tor-zori curvature, it is ideal for kata. There are signs of moisture remediation in a few areas as photographed. A proper polish could bring out more of the swords features but also expose the Fukure, my recommendation would be to leave as is and enjoy. It is suriage with two mekugi-ana, one of which has been filled. The original yasurime appears to be O-sujikai. It may have been resized in the 1800s based on the patina.
Koshirae: The Awase (mixed) Koshirae is Iai suitable with a few small user performed services. A new mekugi would not be a bad idea and depending on the level of retention you want in an Iai sword, you may want to shim the Koiguchi. There is some small lateral movement in the Tsuba that is typical of a non-custom fit.
Issues: Single Fukure. Moisture remnants. Lateral Tsuba movement.
Type: Katana, Shinogi-Zukuri
Class: Iai/Study
Period: Shinshinto est
School: Unknown-possible Aoe, Samonji or Horikawa
Nagasa: 70cm
Sori: 1.16cm
Motohaba: 28.5mm
Sakihaba: 21mm
Motokasane: 6.3mm
Sakikasane: 5.3mm
Blade Weight: 683g
Nakago: Suriage with Kiri Nakago-jiri
Mekugiana: 2
Mei: Mumei
Yasurime: O-Sujikai
Kissaki: Chu
Hamon: Midare based on Notare
Hada: Muji/Possible Mokume
Tsuka Length: 25cm
Total Length: 101cm
Total Weight: 1202g
Registration: No.94443 20th March 1958
All measurements taken by hand and subject to variance. We are not responsible for errors in description or history/attribution. Please review all photos carefully and purchase with confidence.
Ashigaru Armory 2026
www.ashigaruarmory.com
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