A Shinto katana with koshira-e
By Fujiwara Soei, 18th century
The blade of slender shinogi-zukuri form, broad gunomeha of nie and nioi with profuse kinsuji and itamehada, Fudo and bonji horimono to one side, suken on the other side, the ubu nakago with takanoha yasurime and two mekugi-ana, signed Banshu no ju Fujiwara Soei; in shirazaya with a sayagaki by Dr Sato Kanzan; koshira-e: the saya of black ishime lacquer, decorated with a galloping harnessed horse and tasselled gourd, symbolic of Chokaro Sennin in gold and slight-coloured takamaki-e; Bakumatsu tsuba of mokko form, with eboshi and blinds in relief, signed Katsutaka; the shakudo fuchi-gashira with Toba on his mule and a boy attendant; the shakudo menuki in the form of galloping horses; with two fabric bags. The blade 69.9cm (27¼in) long. (5).
FOOTNOTES
刀　銘「播州住藤原宗栄」　18世紀
附　石目塗地張果老図蒔絵鞘打刀拵

Accompanied by a NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon certificate for the blade.