TADA MASATOSHI (ACTIVE CIRCA 1844-1864) A Mimasaka Katana with Mounts Edo period (1615-1868), dated 1854 Sugata (configuration): honzukuri, iorimune, chū-gissaki, toriizori Kitae (forging pattern): itamehada Hamon (tempering pattern): chōji midare based in nioi with ashi, saka-ashi, yo, and faint utsuri Boshi (tip): midarekomi Horimono (carving): futasubi on both sides Nakago (tang): machiokuri with one hole, kesho file marks, signed Sashūban shi Tada Masatoshi and dated Ka'ei nananen gogatsu no hi (A day in the fifth month of 1854) Habaki (collar): one -piece, gilt-copper Nagasa (length from tip to beginning of tang): 27 5/8in (70.2cm) Motohaba (width at start of tempered edge): 1 1/4in (3.2cm) Sakihaba (width before tip): 3/4in (1.9cm) In a shirasaya (wood storage scabbard) with sayagaki by Hon'ami Koson (1879-1956) The handachi koshira-e comprising a reddish-brown lacquer saya with gold lacquer highlights and finished on the surface with woodgrain patterns, the scabbard mounted with shakudō ishimeji hardware including hangers, semigane, kojiri, koiguchi, and fuchi-gashira, the hanger straps with gilt bosses chiseled with crests of confronted cranes, the iron tsuchimeji mokkō tsuba banded with a shakudō rim (3). Footnotes: Accompanied by Tokubetsu Hozon Tōken (Sword Especially Worthy of Preservation) certificate no. 1006938 issued by the Nihon Bijutsu Tōken Hozon Kyokai (The Society for the Preservation of the Japanese Art Sword), dated March 24, 2017. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing