Japan, Edo period (Bakumatsu), dated Man’en 1 (1860) A magnificent and exceptionally large Japanese sword by Kurihara Ason Nobuhide (栗原朝臣信秀), one of the foremost master swordsmiths of the late Edo period and ranked Jō-jō saku (上々作) for superior workmanship in the Fujishiro and NBTHK classifications. This impressive blade measures approximately 30 inches (76.2 cm) in nagasa, firmly placing it in the rare and highly sought-after ōdachi / great katana category. Swords of this length and quality are uncommon, particularly when signed, dated, and preserved in healthy condition. The tang is signed: Kurihara Ason Nobuhide and dated: <span class="TextRun SCXW32747145 BCX0" lang="EN-US" xml:la