Hello,

Your item is a Japanese katana blade tang (nakago) with a visible signature (mei) engraved, although the piece is significantly rusted and missing its sheath and handle. Based on the shape and proportions of the nakago, and the style of the mei, it appears to be a traditionally forged Japanese blade, likely from the late Edo period (1603–1868) to early Meiji era (1868–1912). The presence of a single mekugi-ana (peg hole) is typical for authentic blades, and the tang’s patina is consistent with age.

The mei inscription on the tang may identify the swordsmith and school or province where the blade was made. However, due to rust and image quality, a precise reading of the signature is challenging without high-resolution scans and further inspection by a licensed Japanese sword appraiser (NBTHK or NTHK certified). The sword appears to have been handmade using traditional techniques, and the overall curvature and finish of the tang indicate it was not mass-produced or intended for export, suggesting it may have belonged to a samurai family.

Given the incomplete state — specifically, the absence of koshirae (mountings), habaki (blade collar), and tsuka (handle) — this tang holds limited market value compared to a fully mounted and certified sword. Nonetheless, the mei gives it potential historical interest, especially if attributed to a known smith.