AS25518 Katana: Minamoto Moriyoshi and Enju Nobutsugu(NBTHK Hozon Token)(Consignment Sale)

Katana in Shirasaya (NBTHK Hozon Token)

Signature:
Minamoto Moriyoshi and Enju Nobutsugu Gassaku Kore
源盛吉延寿宣次合作之
Showa Kinotoushi 10 Gatsu (October, 1985)
昭和乙丑歳十月日

We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This work is ranked as Saijyo Saku, the highest grade, among the collaborative works of Minamoto Moriyoshi and Enju Nobutsugu.

Habaki: Single-layered habaki with gold foil
Blade Length: 75.4 cm (29.69 in)
Curvature: 2.2 cm (0.87 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.33 cm (1.31 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 2.63 cm (1.04 in)
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.64 cm (0.25 in)
Sword Weight: 870 g
Era: Showa 60(1985)

Shape: This is wide, thick and long blade with deep curveture. Robust and sound blade with Bo-hi.
Jigane: Plain-like jigane with Jinie
Hamon: Nie-base Gunome midare with thick Nioikuchi and Ashi. Sunagashi and Kinsuji works a lot. Boshi is midare with Kinsuji.

Features:
Minamoto Moriyoshi (real name: Tanigawa Moriyoshi) was a swordsmith born in 1920 in Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture. He produced many excellent works, received numerous awards, and was designated Mukansa (exempt from competition) in 1985. He was renowned as a master of the Sōshū tstyle, particularly influenced by Minamoto Kiyomaro, and created many faithful reproductions of Kiyomaro’s style.
Enju Nobutsugu (real name: Tanigawa Hiromitsu) was the son of Moriyoshi and, like his father, produced many works in the style of Minamoto Kiyomaro. There are many collaborative blades (gassaku) between father and son.

Comment from Aoi Art:
Among the many collaborative works by Moriyoshi and Nobutsugu, this piece stands out for its exceptional quality. It is perfectly healthy, with outstanding activity in the hamon, clearly demonstrating the high level of skill of both smiths.

NBTHK Hozon Certificate
Aoi Art estimation paper: Whole Oshigata