WITH SIGNATURE BISHU OSAFUNE NORIMITSU SAKU, AND WITH DATE OEI NINEN HACHIGATSU HI [A DAY IN THE EIGHTH MONTH 1396], MUROMACHI - EDO PERIOD (16TH -17TH CENTURY)

The length and curvature of this blade immediately suggest the early Edo period, while the gunome hamon and the masame on the shinogi indicate the Mino tradition. Mino style gunome is found on the work of a number of Edo period schools, like that of the group of smiths who emigrated from Mino to Echizen province, to which this sword might belong.