Bidding for this lot will end on Wednesday, March 25th. The auction will begin at 9:30 AM (PDT) / 12:30 PM (EDT) / 4:30 PM (GMT) and lots are sold sequentially via live auctioneer; tune in to the live streaming broadcast on auction day to follow the pace. Note other lots in the auction may close on Thursday, March 26th or Friday, March 27th.

Nathan Algren's (Tom Cruise) screen-matched katana blade from the engraving scene from Edward Zwick's The Last Samurai. In the montage sequence where the Samurai prepared for the final battle, a swordsmith worked diligently over a blade for a katana, which Lord Moritsugu Katsumoto (Ken Watanabe) then presented to Algren. Inscribed with a phrase that translates to "I belong to the warrior in whom the old ways have joined the new," the placement of the logogram and specific scratches along this blade screen-match to the sequence.

This blade was made from metal by renowned swordsmith Shoji Yoshihara, who provided the swords and acted as a consultant for the village forge scenes. It features the partial engraving of the inscription on the blade, right side up, along with an engraving translating to "Gods exist in both the present and the ancient times"; a non-etched, faded kanji translating to "Dedicated to the Shishi" (referring to a righteous samurai); Yoshihara's maker's mark, or mei, which translates to "Made by Kuniie" (a reference to the swordsmith's grandfather); and a bored hole on the tang, or nakago, that would be covered by the tsuka handgrip.

The literal translations of the characters are slightly different to the translation offered in the film. This lot exhibits tarnished metal and discoloration. Dimensions: 37.75" x 2" x 0.25" (96 cm x 5 cm x 0.75 cm)

Blade was dulled after production in order for it to be sold as a collectible.

Estimate: $4,000 - 8,000