AS25172 Katana:Kashu Ju Kaneshige Saku(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Katana in Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature:
Kashu Ju Kaneshige Saku 加州住兼重作
Kaei 3 Nen 8 Gatsu Kichijitsu 嘉永三年八月𠮷日(August, 1850)

We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This work is ranked as Jyojyo Saku among the works by Kashu Ju Kaneshige.

Habaki: Double-layered silver habaki
Blade Length: 70.4 cm (27.72 in)
Curvature: 2.0 cm (0.79 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.04 cm (1.20 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 1.93 cm (0.76 in)
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.64 cm (0.25 in)
Sword Weight: 640 g
Era: Edo period, August 1850 (Kaei 3)
Shape: well balanced blade featuring long tang.
Jigane: Koitame hada, well forged blackish Jigane.
Hamon:　Nie base Gunome with Ashi,Sunagashi and Kinsuji looks Niju-ba(doubled hamon). Nioikuchi is thick and shiny.
Features:　Kaga Ju Kaneshige was a swordsmith in Kaga in the late Edo period.

Koshirae:
Tsuba:　iron circle Tsuba featuring a design of a plum tree.
Fuchi: Shakudo base carved with chrysanthemums
Kashira: Horn
Menuki: Praying mantis motif

Aoi Art’s Comment:　Kaneshige of Kashu was a swordsmith from Kaga and belonged to that lineage.
His work is bright and clear, with a deep nioiguchi and great variation, representing a high level of craftsmanship.
While the koshirae is relatively simple, it is firmly made and complements the blade well.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate
Aoi Art estimation paper
Whole Oshigata