AS25330 Tachi: Furukawa Kiyoyuki (Mukansa Swordsmith)

Ordering number: AS25330

Tachi: in Shirasaya

Signature: Shinano Koku Hatcho Yakushi
Made by Furukawa Kiyoyuki (Mukansa Swordsmith)
Showa 56 Nen 12 Gatsu Hi (December, 1981)
信濃國八町薬師
古川清行作(無監査刀匠)
昭和五十六年十二月日

(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku)
This work is ranked as Jyo Saku among the works of Furukawa Kiyoyuki.
Habaki: Solid gold double habaki (40 grams)
Blade Length: 71.5 cm (28.15 in)
Curvature: 2.0 cm (0.79 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.26 cm (1.28 in)
Width at Tip: 2.37 cm (0.93 in)
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.72 cm (0.28 in)
Sword Weight: 800 g
Era: Modern (1981)
Shape: A broad and thick blade with bo-hi (grooves) on both sides, and a slightly extended kissaki, giving it a magnificent and powerful appearance.
Jigane: Well-forged small itame hada with a clean, dark-toned surface.
Hamon: Nie-deki, with irregular gunome featuring height variation, accompanied by sunagashi and kinsuji. The boshi is midarekomi with a deep return and rounded tip.

Features: Swordsmith Furukawa Kiyoyuki was born in 1948 (Showa 23) in Nagano Prefecture. He entered Tokyo University of Science but later became an apprentice of Living National Treasure Miyairi Akihira to learn sword-making. In 1987 (Showa 62), he received the Mukansa award at the New Sword Exhibition. He passed away in 2015 (Heisei 27) at the age of 67.
During his career, he was designated an Intangible Cultural Property by Suzaka City, Nagano Prefecture, and received numerous awards including the Kanzan-sho and Excellence Award.
He was particularly praised for works in the Soshu-den and Soshu-Bizen traditions, which he learned from his master Miyairi Akihira.

Aoi Art’s Comment: This sword has a wide mihaba, relatively thick kasane, and features double grooves on both sides. The hamon is varied in height. The polishing is of the highest quality, bringing out the beauty of the jigane superbly.

Aoi Art estimation paper: Whole Oshigata