AS15629 Katana:Izumi no Kami Fujiwara Kunisada(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Katana in Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature: Izumi no Kami Fujiwara Kunisada
和泉守藤原國貞

We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This work is ranked as Jyojyo Saku for Izumi no Kami Fujiwara Kunisada.
Habaki: Double gold-covered
Blade Length: 2 shaku 3 sun 7 bu (71.8 cm / 28.27 in)
Curvature: 2.35 cm
Mekugi Hole: 2
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.04 cm (1.20 in)
Width at Tip: 2.02 cm (0.79 in)
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.68 cm (0.27 in)
Sword Weight: 755 g
Era: Edo period, around Kanei era (circa 1624–1644)
Shape: This work features a slightly wide body with a thick kasane and a relatively deep curvature.
The kissaki is slightly elongated, giving the sword a well-balanced appearance.
There is a machi-okuri of about 3 cm, but it has not been shortened, and the sword is in healthy condition.
Jigane: Ko-itame hada, well-forged, forming a beautiful Osaka jigane.
Hamon: Nie-deki with a deep nioiguchi and small ashi.
The hamon is active, and the boshi is komaru with a deep nioiguchi.

Features:At first glance, this sword appears to be the work of the first-generation Kunisada, but I believe it is a daimei (representative signature) by the second generation.
The hamon shows a slightly Shinkai-style influence, and the signature carries a strong impression.
Works by the first generation tend to exhibit a weaker feel, and the characteristics of the mei also change over time.
Although the signature style of the first and second generation Izumi no Kami Fujiwara Kunisada is nearly identical, the mei cut in later years by the elder generation shows signs of weakening, clearly differing from the youthful Shinkai.
The hamon, too, has changed from the earlier active gunome-midare to a calmer Shinkai-style.
Therefore, I believe this sword is a daimei by Inoue Shinkai.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: Round iron tsuba with an openwork design of fans and inlay in gold.
Fuchikashira: Shakudo nanako ground with fan motifs, inlaid with gold and suaka (copper).
Saya (Scabbard): Decorated with scattered aogai (blue shell inlay).
Menuki: Design of four stylized flowers in a circle, finished in gold iroe.

Aoi Art’s Comment: Personally, I consider this work to be by the second-generation Inoue Shinkai.
It features a calm notare hamon with gunome-midare and a deep nioiguchi, showing excellent workmanship.
The boshi is round with a deep nioiguchi, indicating high quality.
The koshirae is also excellent, with a beautifully crafted aogai-chirashi saya.
This is a piece I would highly recommend.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token
Aoi Art estimation paper: Whole Oshigata