AS24823 Katana：Bizen Koku Tomoyasu (Re-tempered) (Ko-Bizen)NBTHK Hozon Token) (Consignment Sale)

Katana in Shirasaya (NBTHK Hozon Token) (Consignment Sale)

Signature: Bizen Koku Tomoyasu (Re-tempered) (Ko-Bizen)
備[前][国]友安(再刃)(古備前)

Sayagaki : Bizen no Kuni Tomoyasu,
blade length: 2 shaku 5 bu.
Early spring of Showa 27 (1952),
signed by Sekizan (with Kao).

We divide four sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku, and Regular Saku based on the quality of workmanship.
This sword is ranked as Jyojyo Saku for Tomoyasu (Re-tempered) (Ko-Bizen).
Habaki: Gold-plated double-layered
Blade Length: 61.8 cm (24.33 in)
Curvature: 2.0 cm (0.79 in)
Mekugi Hole: 4
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.71 cm (1.07 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 1.8 cm (0.71 in)
Thickness (Kasane): 0.62 cm (0.24 in)
Sword Weight: 465 g (1.03 lb)
Era: Late Heian period, 1184 (841 years ago)
Shape:The blade has a standard width, with substantial thickness and a deep curvature, displaying an exceptionally refined jigane.
Jigane:The ko-itame hada is tightly forged, producing an excellent steel surface. A faint utsuri appears, and the shinogi-ji is composed of ko-itame and ko-mokume hada, without any masame. Some parts of the shinogi-ji exhibit yaki.
Hamon:A suguha hamon with fine nioi and a slightly misty appearance. The nioiguchi is deep, indicating that the blade was originally forged as a mu-kitae (pure steel construction). The boshi is slightly rounded with a soft misty appearance but remains well-formed.
Although some consider re-tempered swords to be of lesser value, modern swords can undergo up to three rounds of tempering, meaning that a re-tempered blade is not inherently inferior. Many swords preserved in Nikko have been re-tempered, and there are numerous examples of Yasutsugu reforging swords by re-tempering them.
While this sword has been classified as re-tempered by the Japanese Sword Museum, please consider this information before participating in the auction.

Aoi Art’s Comment:　Bizen Koku Tomoyasu was the son of Tomonari, and this work exudes a commanding presence befitting such a lineage. Although classified as re-tempered by the Japanese Sword Museum, both the jigane and hamon are of excellent quality, making this an outstanding piece.

Historical Background:　Genuine works from the Heian period are extremely rare. Furthermore, this sword is signed, making it highly intriguing for collectors. We sincerely hope for your consideration.

NBTHK Hozon Token (To be issued soon)
Aoi Art Estimation Paper
Whole Oshigata