illielee

Are there offering boxes in this format? Could it possibly have been repurposed. Seems to me it would house something long. There are no signs that it had extensive bracing, but there does look to be signs of old glue on the inner bottom along one side and on that side is slight oxidation showing a curve similar to a katana or teppo hilt.

handles on each side at opposite ends...looks the same from each side. 42 inches long by the way.

Anyone know what type of bako I have here? If the slot is original and what might it's purpose be?