Double Murder is associated with this competent and well-known Shinto (1600-1800) period sword smith.Kikuhira was a titled sword smith originally from Kaga province who moved to Hizen province during the Kanban (1661-72) period and was employed by the famous 4th generation Hizen Tadayoshi. Although a drunk, Kazuhira made good swords. At some point Kikuhara had an affair with Tadayoshi wife. When Tadayoshi learned of this he murdered his wife along with Kikuhara and remarried.This sword has an impressive cutting-edge length of 34 ½”. The total length is 43 ½” long. Unfortunately, there are two big chips in the monouchi. The deep temper in this blade will allow for much of this damage to be repolished by a competent sword polisher. Once repolished the sword will also need new shirasaya due to damage to it as well. This sword was made by Kikuhara as an offering to a shrine and was made to show off his skills as a master craftsman as well as to gain favor.The signature, signed tachi mei incorporates the “Kiku” mon which he was allowed to use and reads: Hizen Koku Ju Iga no Kami Minamoto no Kikahira.The shrine dedication side reads: Kanban gen nen Itachi Gatsu Kichijitsu Hoki Shingyu Shina tenmon gugo saizen.We are confident this sword will paper.