JAPAN - Katana, later blade (Muromachi), 19th century, the black lacquer saya scabbard fitted with a koiguchi, a short black sageo and a wood and metal kuri-gata, ending in a plain metal kojiri. The tsuka handle, in brown sageo weave on a white shagreen background, features a menuki depicting a warrior on horseback. The shibuichi kashira and fushi with chiselled taka zogan decoration and copper inlay of a dragon of a warrior on horseback in armour holding a spear, surrounded by golden flowers. The shibuichi Tsuba of mokko gata form with chased taka zogan decoration and copper inlay of flowers in foliage, the fnd nanako, unsigned. The habaki has traces of black oxidation and is slightly missing. The straight blade, with iori mune back, signed "備州長船則光" ("Bishū Osafune Norimitsu" - Osafune school of Bizen). Missing kotagana. L. 16.5 cm (tsuka) L. 45.3 cm (blade) L. 46.5 cm (saya) L. 62.3 cm (total excluding saya) Condition: The Tsuba is not stable and holds with difficulty. The blade is dirty, the samegawa is cracked and the koiguchi is worn. Provenance: Former collection of Mr. Huu Pham (Galerie Potterat)