AS24272 Katana:Bizen Osafune Ju Yokoyama Sukekane Saku(NBTHK Hozon Token)

Katana in Koshirae (NBTHK Hozon Token)

Signature: Bizen Osafune Ju Yokoyama Sukekane Saku 備前長船住横山祐包作
Bunkyu 3 Nen 2 Gatsu Hi 文久三年二月日 (February, 1863)
Descendant of Tomonari in the 58th Generation 友成五十八代孫

Shinshinto: Jyo Saku: Bizen
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 the first generation Yokoyama Sukekane.

Habaki: Single-layer silver Habaki
Blade Length: 79.5 cm (31.30 in)
Curvature: 1.0 cm (0.39 in)
Mekugi Holes: 2
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.23 cm (1.27 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 1.87 cm (0.74 in)
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.77 cm (0.30 in)
Sword Weight: 1075 g
Era: Edo period, 1863

Shape: A robust and long almost straight blade with long tang
This type of sword was popular at the time and is referred to as a Kinno-to (Loyalist’s Sword).
Jigane: Ko-itame hada, densely forged, forming a beautiful surface.
Hamon: Nie-deki, straight Hamon, with a rounded Boshi turnback.

Features: “Tomonari’s 58th descendant” refers to being in the 58th generation from Tomonari.
Typically, swords of this lineage are not known for straight Hamon, but for a unique Chōji-midare.
Sukekane was the adopted son of Yokoyama Sukemori and was also known as Toshiyoshi.
While Kaga-no-suke Sukenaga inscribed himself as the 56th descendant of Tomonari, Yokoyama Sukekane used the inscription of the 58th descendant.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: Thick, square-shaped iron tsuba with openwork of constellations.
Gold-painted dragon motifs are drawn on both the front and back.
Fuchikashira: Made of shakudo nanako-ji, high-relief carving of lions and bamboo, decorated with gold iroe (color inlay).
Saya (Scabbard):
Menuki: Made of shakudo, featuring a high-relief carving of a kabuto (helmet) and tachi (long sword), highlighted with gold iroe.

Aoi Art’s Comment: This is a long sword known as a Kinno-to, with a bright and clear straight Hamon.
The Nakago is long, and the supporting Mekugi hole is located toward the rear.

NBTHK Hozon Certificate
Aoi Art Estimation Paper: Whole Oshigata