AS25293 Wakizashi:(Kirikomi-mei) Ecchu Kami Takahira Saku Kore (NBTHK Hozon Token)

Wakizashi: Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Hozon Token)

Signature: (Kirikomi-mei) Ecchu Kami Takahira Saku Kore
Shiroemon Jo Kanewaka-in
(切付銘)越中守高平造之
四郎右衛門尉兼若印

Shinto: Jyo Saku: Kaga
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 Ecchu no Kami Takahira.
Blade Length: 54.7 cm (21.54 in)
Curvature: 1.4 cm (0.55 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.05 cm (1.20 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 1.95 cm (0.77 in)
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.65 cm (0.26 in)
Sword Weight: 425 g
Era: Edo period, around Enpo era (1673–1681)
Shape: A work with ample width and thickness, a well-defined curvature, and an extended kissaki (tip).
Jigane: Ko-itame hada, well-forged with visible grain pattern.
Hamon: Nie-deki with small gunome midare and active kinsuji.

Features:　Ecchu no Kami Takahira belongs to a lineage of three generations of swordsmiths.
In particular, he was a famous and popular swordsmith in Kaga.
Kanewaka school is said to have continued for three generations, with the first generation being Jinroku, the second Masusuke, the third Shiroemon, and the fourth Jindayu.
This piece is attributed to the third generation.
In Kaga, Kanewaka was such a renowned swordsmith that it was said one could marry off a daughter even from a lower class if the family owned a Kanewaka sword.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: Circular iron Nanban tsuba with openwork of floral motifs, decorated with gold and silver nunome-zogan inlay.
Fuchikashira: Made of suaka (plain copper) with carved patterns.
Menuki: High-relief carving of chili peppers.
Kozuka: Suaka with engraved design.
Includes kogatana (small blade).

NBTHK Hozon Token paper
Aoi Art estimation paper: whole Oshigata