This is a very powerful katana by the smith Naoshige. Naoshige was a smith from Kii who lived around 1741. He was a student of Naoshige (same name, different kanji) who was the son of Daimichi Naohide. While this katana is signed Naoshige Saku, he also signed his blades Kishû Wakayama Jû Fujiwara Naoshige. This sword has a length of 70 cm. or just a hair over 27 1/2 inches. It is a wide and strong blade with a motohaba of 3.2 cm or 1 1/4 inches. The hada is a very tight ko-itame with some areas of mokume. The hamon is a jagged notare with areas of togariba. There is quite a bit of temper along the mune, especially near the hamachi. In areas the mune yaki extends well into the shinogi ji.
