The 'hamon' is 'gunome' mixed with 'choji', with many 'ashi'.
The grain is well-ordered, serene 'itame'. On the 'omote' there are 'gomabashi' and a 'bohi' with an inset 'ukibori' carving depicting Fudo Myo-o under a waterfall on the 'ura' there are 'gomabashi' and a 'bohi' with an inset 'ukibori' carving of a 'vajra'-hilted sword. The tang has one hole and the file marks are 'kesho' with 'sujigai'. This broad blade is 'hira zukuri' and has a 'mitsumune'.
The metal fittings of the mounting are of the black copper/gold alloy shakudo with flowers in a coloured metal inlay. The sculpture is of the Buddhist Shingon sect deity Fudo Myo-O (The Unmoving), representing the ideal spiritual attitude of the swordsman. The Hamon of 'gunome' (reciprocating) on this blade is a revival of the Bizen province tradition, and the broad shape and shallow curve a revival of the great weapons of the 'nambokucho' period during the 14th century. The smiths made blades in the style and dimensions of the 12th to 14th centuries. Naotane was a major smith of the 'Shinshinto' (New Sword) era, when an effort was made to revive the military spirit of Japan in the face of increasing Western military power.
