This is an interesting piece for a number of reasons.  When I first saw it, I wasn't sure if it was even Japanese, or some cheap Chinese reproduction - it was very poorly wrapped, it was black instead of brown, and it had an odd menuki on the ura side.  But after I disassembled the handle, it became evident that it was in fact a rather nice original Japanese tsuka, and that ito and paper wedges were original, although it had obviously been rewrapped at some time.  Below are a couple of before pictures that the owner, David Stiles, shared with me.

I was supplied with a nicer set of shingunto menuki, and asked to wrap it in a Handachi style, which is essentially a Japanese sword in tachi mounts (but without the hangers) worn as a katana with the edge upwards. Below is the end result.

Let me know what you think...  

The following notice just went out today from Stephen Home via Facebook:

"STOLEN FROM ESSEX UK. Guys I need help. Someone has stolen alot of swords from me. They were going to sell them for me but have done a runner. These would of been sold between Aug 2015 and now or in the near future. They are:

• Wakizashi 1500 Shiga Seki school Koto Wakizashi NBTHK Hozon
• Katana 1532 KASHU KATSUIYE NBTHK Hozon
• katana 1939 Noshu Seki KANETSUNA Saku
• Wakizashi 1573 Bishu Munehisa - NTHK kanteisho
• Wakizashi JYUMYO Wakizashi NBTHK Hozon Token
• Sabre 1940 KYU-GUNTO Russo-Japanese Style Army Parade Sabre WWII with Surrender label on scabbard
• Katana 1943 Army Officer's sword - with sword tassel - signed Noshu Mi (or San) Aki. Made in Seki
• Katana 1945 Army Officer's sword - with sword tassel - signed Yoshichika

I CAN PROVIDE DETAILED PICTURES, MEASUREMENTS AND DESCRIPTIONS OF THESE ITEMS IF REQUIRED. CAN YOU PLEASE SHARE WITH ANYONE WHO MIGHT COLLECT OR DEAL WITH JAPANESE SWORDS"

If you know anything about this, please contact either me via this website, or Stephen via Facebook.