The 8th month 19th year of Showa (A.D.1944) comes in the Navy fitting
Length of cutting edge63.2cm Curvature1.6cm Width of base33.8mm Thickness of base7.8mm Width of Yokote22.8mm
Kitae(forging pattern) : Kitae is very tight Ko-Itame hada mixing in with flowing hada. The entire Kitae is very tight and strong.
Hamon(tempering pattern) : Hamon is tight Nioi-based, bright Ko-nie, small/large Choji-midare mixing in with Ofusa-Choji-midare that is covered in uniform Ko-nie from base to the tip. There is rich Nioi-ashi activity toward cutting edge in the interior of temper.
Nakago(tang) : UBU unaltered with O-sujikai file marks with Kesho marks, one mekugi-ana. Ha-agari kurijiri(rounded heel rising sharply on the blade side).
Boshi(tip) : Boshi is calmed on yokote ridge then straight small circle turned back.
The entire blade, although the length is standard of navy swords, is quite massive-thick kasane and wide mihaba, furthermore it is quite healthy blade with an UBUBA(unsharpened edge in two sun(about 60mm) from the base of cutting edge. This navy sword has been recently found and seems there is no sign of usage ever since it was made in 1944. The elegant Choji-midare was surely made with a strong admiration to the awe-inspiring works of Ichimonji-school. This katana is superior in quality, uniform tempering Nie-Nioi from the base to the tip, seldom seen such a nice blade among the works of Showa pre-WW II. The blade would not been polished ever since it was made and the entire surface is a bit darkish that come from slight rust but no significant flaw. Original UBU unaltered navy fitting Shark skin polishing surface lacquered sheath, brass, gold plated metal furniture, copper ground oval shape tsuba, black lacquered ray skin hilt wrapped with brown thread HIRAMAKI wrapping. Officer's silk cord in blue. Masakiyo, real name [Amatsu Tomita] in Shimane pref was born in 17th year of Meiji and worked for Navy/Amy on before WW II and was awarded the president prize by the military sword academy.
