AN AIKUCHI, 27.6cm hira-zukuri Koto blade with three mekugi-ana, suguha hamon with utsuri, nashiji hada, baleen bound tsuka with silver fuchi-kashira engraved with leaves and signed Ikeda Takatoshi, gold dragon and Shi-shi menuki, in its finely black lacquered saya decorated with scrolling foliage in gold lacquer, silver mounts comprising koiguchi, kurikata, uragawara, kojiri and split kogai decorated en suite with the tsuka and matched kodzuka. Sold with N.T.H.K. Kanteisho paper dated 2003.