AS24638 Katana：Yasunori(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Katana in Shirasaya (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature: Showa 10 Mi Nen 10 Gatsu Kichijitsu (October, 1935)
Yasunori
昭和十巳十月吉日
靖徳

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 Yasutoku.
Habaki: Single-layered gold-covered Habaki
Blade Length: 66.6 cm (26.22 in)
Curvature: 2.0 cm (0.79 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.86 cm (1.13 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 1.87 cm (0.74 in)
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.63 cm (0.25 in)
Sword Weight: 635 g
Era: October, 1935
Shape: A wide blade with thick kasane and slightly long boshi.
Jigane: Well-forged ko-itame hada with refined texture, clearly showing the grain. A faint shiraha (visible tempered line) appears.
Hamon: Ko-nie based gunome-midare with active ashi, showing characteristics of the Rai school. The boshi returns in a round shape.

Features: Yasunori is regarded as the most skilled swordsmith among those who worked at the Yasukuni Shrine. While many Yasukuni swords tend to show little forging pattern, Yasutoku, along with Yasuoki and Yasunori, are known for their skill in revealing beautiful hada.
Yasukuni swords were mostly made under government support to produce superior swords.
Even today, swords made at Yasukuni Shrine are evaluated as “Yasukuni-to” and evoke memories of the pre-war period in Japan.
These swords are expected to continue being highly appreciated overseas.
This Yasukuni-to by Yasutoku, one of the finest among them, comes highly recommended.

Historical Background: Pre-war, October 1935

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token
Aoi Art estimation paper
Whole Oshigata