AS25491 Wakizashi ：Kawachi no Kami Kunisuke(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Ordering number:AS25491

Wakizashi in Koshirae (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature: Kawachi no Kami Kunisuke
河内守国助

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 a blade by Kawachi no Kami Kunisuke.
Habaki: Double-layered gold foil habaki
Blade Length: 46.4 cm (18.27 in)
Curvature: 1.1 cm (0.43 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.25 cm (1.28 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 2.26 cm (0.89 in)
Thickness of Rim (Kasane): 0.70 cm (0.28 in)
Sword Weight: 525 grams
Era: Edo period, around the Kanbun era (1661–1673)
Shape: This blade features a wide body of 3.25 cm, thick kasane, moderate curvature, and an extended kissaki, showing a healthy and robust shape.
Jigane: A well-forged ko-itame hada with excellent Osaka jigane.
Hamon: Starting with a straight hamon from the hamachi, then transitioning into gunome-choji midare, forming a distinctive midare pattern typical of Naka-Kawachi. The boshi is somewhat midare and returns in a rounded manner.

Features: This piece is healthy with ample Niku and a surface that shows a smooth, clamshell-like curvature, representing a well-preserved sword. Highly recommended.

Koshirae: Aikuchi-style Koshirae
Menuki: Shishi (lion) motif with gold-colored details
Fuchikashira: Made of horn

Aoi Art’s Comment: Kawachi no Kami Kunisuke includes the famous first, second, and third generations. As they are surrounded by swords signed “Kunisuke,” they are collectively referred to as Naka-Kawachi. The flamboyant hamon patterns, particularly, are well-liked by many collectors.

Historical Context: This sword was made around the Kanbun era, a time when the demand for swords significantly declined. It was an era of transition from functional weapons to appreciation of swords as art. Swordsmiths, such as Sukehira with dynamic tōranba hamon, Inoue Shinkai with deep nioiguchi in straight hamon, the second-generation Awataguchi Tadatsuna with carvings on the blade, and others who engraved cutting test inscriptions in gold inlay, all had to actively promote their unique styles to avoid being forgotten. It was a time when smiths strived for recognition and survival.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token
Aoi Art estimation paper: Whole Oshigata