AS24810 Wakizashi:Taisin Hokkyo Minamoto Mitsuhira (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Wakizashi: Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature: Taisin Hokkyo Minamoto Mitsuhira
泰信法橋源光平

Shinto: Ryo-Wazamono, Jyo Saku, Musashi Province
We divide four sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku, and Regular Saku.
This work is ranked as Jyojyo Saku among Mitsuhira’s works.
Habaki: Double-layered gold-covered (possibly solid gold?)
Blade Specifications
Blade Length: 1 shaku 7 sun 2 bu 7 rin (52.4 cm / 20.63 in)
Curvature: 4 sun 0 rin (12.1 cm / 4.76 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.2 cm (1.26 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 2.26 cm (0.89 in)
Thickness (Kasane): 0.64 cm (0.25 in)
Sword Weight: 565 g (1.25 lbs)
Era:Edo Period, around Kanbun (1661–1673)
Shape:A robust sword with a wide motohaba and sakihaba, featuring a slightly shallow curvature and an elongated kissaki.
Jigane (Steel Surface):A nioi-based choji-midare with visible utsuri.
The texture is a tight ko-itame hada mixed with mokume hada, resembling Ichimonji-style forging.
Hamon (Temper Line):A nioi-based, flamboyant choji-midare, appearing similar to Ichimonji-style hamon.
The boshi turns irregularly into the kissaki.

Features:At first glance, this sword appears like an Ichimonji work, featuring an elegant choji-midare hamon.
The shinogi-ji is well-forged with itame-hada and mokume-hada, creating a perfect Ichimonji imitation.
In the Shinto period, many Ichimonji-style swords had masame-hada in the shinogi-ji and were often carved with bo-hi to make them appear more like old works.
Therefore, it is important to examine whether the shinogi-ji has strong masame-hada, as this could indicate a later attempt to mimic an older blade.
Additionally, as this is a Kanbun Shinto sword, it is crucial to observe characteristics such as a lack of curvature or a monotonous round boshi to determine whether it is a koto-style blade.

Koshirae (Mountings)
Tsuba: Divided into eight sections, with engraved decorations in certain areas.
Kogatana: Shakudo nanako ground with a high-relief ito-maki (thread wrapping) design, highlighted with gold inlay.
The kogatana is signed “Ozaki Gengoemon Suketaka” (尾崎源五右衛門助隆).
The backside is well-polished.
Saya (Scabbard): Black carved saya.
Fuchikashira: Ishime-ji (stone texture) ground with gold floral designs.
Menuki: A small Japanese boat with a bird perched on it, decorated with gold.

Aoi Art’s Comment:This sword, made by Taisin Hokkyo Minamoto Mitsuhira, beautifully exhibits a well-executed Ichimonji-style choji-midare hamon.
The koshirae is also well-crafted, making this an excellent recommendation.
We highly recommend this piece for purchase.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token
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