^Lot 1708 JAPANESE TACHI COURT SWORD.

This fascinating tachi measures 39 1/4" overall with a 25 5/8" blade with an irregular hamon and a copper habaki. Replacing the normal tsuba is a heavy brass crossguard showing western influence. The crossguard is decorated with several mon and three cherry blossoms. There is a copper pointed bar on one side likely to aid in carrying the katana. There are two seppa below the tsuba and three above. The nakago has a two mekugi-ana indicating use of an ancestral blade. One side of the nakago has a five character signature. The tsuka has a brass fuchi and kashira decorated in a similar manner to the crossguard. It is covered in white same with a frog and lily pad flower menuki on each side. There are four small bronze ovals above and three below the menuki. There is no tsuka-ito. The wooden saya has five brass mounts in a stylized gunto form. The mounts are decorated with mon and cherry blossoms similar to the crossguard, fuchi and kashira. A highly unusual tachi with impressive decoration and a truly superior blade. CONDITION: The blade is in exceptional polish. The tsuka shows light wear. The saya also shows light wear overall and has no visible damage. (02-25814/BF). $2000-3500.