This is a photo of the sword. About two thirds of the blade was in good polish, but the third toward the tip had a lot of scratches and some pitting.  They chose this sword because the blade had several aspects that helped it match what the producers were looking for, these included the Handachi mounts and the fumbari. 

Before the test, I rewrapped and lacquered the mounts, and after it was sent away for a polish. It should be back sometime in July or August 2009. 

Although a few of us were a little more than nervous about using a real Japanese sword, this was a very controlled situation, and, not surprisingly, after the test there was no apparent damage done to the blade.  

They did a simular mock-up of Japanese armor against a period sword from England with less than spectacular results; the european blade only put a crease and a few dimples in the 'Japanese' 1/16th inch steel plate.