Another aspect that is worth pointing out is the scabbard of this sword, I have not often encountered scabbards retaining their original lacquer and this also has the original rattan bindings. The form on these is a bit unusual as well but the same can be seen on a sword Oriental-Arms sold on the past (
http://oriental-arms.co.il/photos.php?id=1524). While that example has silver fittings as well, the rattan bindings are of an identical style to mine, which can be see in the image in my first post in this thread.