AS25111 Katana:Fujiwara Kuhinide(NBTHK Hozon Token) (Consignment Sale)

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

Signature:　Oite Toki Koka 4 Nen 2 Gatsu Hi
Soshu Tanho Motte 7 Mai Kitae Saku
Fujiwara Kuhinide
於時弘化四年二月日
相州鍛法以 七枚鍛作
藤原国秀

Explanation: Fujiwara Kunihide made this Katana in February1847. Forged with Soshu method using 7-layer folding technique.

We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This work is ranked as Jyo Saku for Fujiwara Kunihide.
Habaki: Plain copper
Blade Length: 62.4 cm (24.57 in)
Curvature: 2 cm (0.79 in)
Mekugi Hole: 2
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.73 cm (1.07 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 1.75 cm (0.69 in)
Thickness of Rim (Kasane): 0.77 cm (0.30 in)
Sword Weight: 595 grams
Era: Around 4th year of Kōka era (1847)
Shape: The blade has been shortened with a suriage (reshaped tang).
Jigane: Fine ko-itame hada mixed with mokume hada.
Hamon: Nie-deki gunome-midare with irregular gunome pattern near the tip.
Near the kissaki, the chikei appears intensely, and kinsuji and sunagashi are clearly visible.

Features: This sword was originally signed in tachi-mei but was later changed to katana-mei.
Enryūshi Kunihide is expected to gain recognition as a distinguished swordsmith with his newer works.
Due to its sharpness, Sakamoto Ryōma highly valued and collected Kunihide’s swords.
Some of his collected works are now preserved in museums.
Several contemporary examples of Kunihide’s swords have been published in various books and are featured in publications by the Japanese Sword Museum.

NBTHK Hozon Token Certificate (*to be issued soon)
Aoi Art estimation paper: Whole Oshigata