AS25483 Katana: Izumi Kami Fujiwara Kunisada (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Katana in Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature: Izumi Kami Fujiwara Kunisada 和泉守藤原国貞

Sayagaki:　Written by Tanobe Tanzan
Izumi no Kami Fujiwara Kunisada
Seven-character signature, considered a work from Oya Kunisada (Kunisada I) in his final Keian years (1648–1652). It is commonly described as a proxy inscription (daimei) by Inoue Shinkai（真改)　.It was likely not only the signature that was entered on Kunisada’s behalf, but the blade itself also appears to have been produced by Shinkai.
The workmanship is superb—a representative piece of his late Keian period.

We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This sword is ranked as Jyojo Saku among the works by Izumi no Kami Fujiwara Kunisada (Inoue Shinkai).
Habaki: Double-layered silver
Blade Length: 69.1 cm (27.20 in)
Curvature: 1.2 cm (0.47 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.18 cm (1.25 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 2.02 cm (0.79 in)
Thickness of Rim (Kasane): 0.64 cm (0.25 in)
Sword Weight: 705 g
Shape: normal width and thickness with slight curveture
Jigane:Fine Koitame with Jinie
Hamon: NIe-base Gunome and Notare with thick and soft nioikuchi.

Features: Shinto: Ōwazamono: Jyojo Saku: Settsu
Inoue Shinkai is the one of the most famous swordstmiths amond Osaka Shinto. He was the son of the Izumi Kami Kunisada the 1st gen, and he succeed to his name after his farther’s death in 1652. He used the name of Inoue Izumi Kami Kunisada (井上和泉守国貞), and later changed his name to Inoue Shinkai (井上真改). In fact, he had been making swords on behalf of his farther before his farther died. He died in 1682.
Inoue Shinkai developed a unique style with deep nioiguchi, straight or slanting hamon.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: iron tsuba with opwnrok carving
Fuchikashira and Kojiri: brass base
Menuki: a design of bats

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate
Aoi Art Estimation Paper: Whole Oshigata