The first ever verified authentic reverse-edge sword has been placed on display in the Museum of Local History in Shiroi, Chiba this month. This sword called Sakabatou, after the supposed-to-be-fictional item featured in Watsuki Nobuhiro's Rurouni Kenshin, was discovered in Shiroi last year.

As reported, the sword was discovered by the Kawakami family in their archive warehouse as was believed to be used way bakc in the late Edo Peiod. During the said era, the Kawakami family had been the one in-charge of managing the upkeep horses and cattle owned by the shogunate. At the same time, they have been the possessors of a number of artifacts. So far, this sword which runs a total of 28.2 centimeters in length, with 22.6 centimeters long blade.

It is revealed that no such sword has been recorded in the official registry of Japanese swords as based on its size and blade position making it very rare. Even though there is such conditions, a special committee would be having a meeting today, March 25th, to study the short-sword, gather ample data and discuss whether the sword will end up as a Cultural Property of the Chiba Prefecture or not.

For more information about the sword, visit here.





via Anime News Network