AS23810 Katana：Bishu Osafune Ju Yokoyama Sukekane Saku Meiji 2 Nen 8 Gatsu Hi (August, 1869)(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Katana in Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature: Bishu Osafune Ju Yokoyama Sukekane Saku
Meiji 2 Nen 8 Gatsu Hi (August, 1869)
58th Generation Descendant of Tomonari
備州長舩住横山祐包作
明治二年八月日
友成五十八代孫

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 Bishu Osafune Ju Yokoyama Sukekane.
Habaki: Gold foil single-layered habaki
Blade Length: 70.9 cm (27.91 in)
Curvature: 1.30 cm (0.51 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.08 cm (1.21 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 1.99 cm (0.78 in)
Kasane: 0.73cm
Sword Weight:
Era: August, 1869
Shape: The blade has a wide body and thick kasane, with a moderate curvature and slightly extended kissaki.
Jigane: Ko-itame hada, well-forged and refined.
Hamon: Nioi-based, beautifully rounded choji-midare.

Features: This sword was made by the first generation Yokoyama Sukekane, also known as Kenji.
In the transition from the late Edo period to the Meiji period, conflicts between imperial loyalists and shogunate supporters intensified, and the style of swords evolved accordingly.
Notably, the nakago (tang) became longer, as seen in this piece with a length of 26.3 cm.
This likely reflects a strong resolve to defeat the enemy in battle.
The first-generation Sukekane continued to produce blades around 1872.
His hamon remained largely consistent, featuring a kikuka-choji pattern.
The blade transitions from a straight temper near the hamachi into a midare pattern.
In the Meiji period, choji hamon began from within the nakago.
The boshi is also irregularly patterned.
The transformation of sword characteristics over time is clearly evident in this piece, especially in the significantly extended nakago.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: Round iron tsuba with openwork design of figures and pine tree, with gold inlay.
Signature: Motoukashi Nyudo Soten – Resides in Goshu Hikone
Fuchikashira: Shakudo base with a depiction of Hotei, in suaka-colored inlay
Saya (Scabbard): Glossy black lacquered saya
Menuki: Shakudo base with gold inlay
Kozuka: Iron base with flower motif and silver inlay

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token Certificate
Aoi Art Estimation Paper with Whole Oshigata