Meiji era (1868-1912), late 19th/early 20th century The tsuka (hilt or handle) formed as a vajra, the length of the saya (scabbard) entwined by an elongated silver dragon with its head appearing at one end with the tama (sacred jewel) perched between its horns, the flames issuing from around its coiled body, the mekugi (peg) modelled at one end with a chrysanthemum blossom, unsigned; the blade of ken configuration, forged in ko-itame hada and with a suguha tempered edge, carved on one side with a bold depiction of Fudo Myo-o (Acala), and on the other side with bonji (Sanskrit), the ubu nakago (unaltered tang) with kesho file marks and one mekugi-ana (peg hole), with a one-piece silver habaki (collar) carved with swirling clouds, inscribed in gold Ichi. Total length: 40cm (15¾in) long; the blade: 23.7cm (9 5/16in) long.