AS25553 Wakizashi:Naotane (Kao) (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token) (Consignment Sale)

Ordering number:AS25553

Wakizashi: Katana in Shirasaya (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token) (Consignment Sale)

Signature: Naotane (Kao)
Mid-Spring, April, Tenpō 4 (1833)
直胤(花押)
天保四月仲春

Sayagaki: Kanzan Sensei
Taikei Naotane
Mid-Spring, Tenpō 4 (1833)
Blade Length: 1 shaku 3 sun 5 bu (approx.)
Early Autumn, Shōwa Year of the Rabbit (1975), written by Kanzan

Shinshinto: Saijyo Saku: Musashi
We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This work is ranked as Jyojyo Saku among Naotane’s works.
Habaki: Single silver habaki
Blade Length: 31.3 cm (12.32 in)
Curvature: 0.5 cm (0.20 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.81 cm (1.11 in)
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.53 cm (0.21 in)
Sword Weight: 230 g
Shape:This tanto has a slightly wide body, thick kasane, mitsu-mune (triple ridge), and a slight sakizori (curved toward the tip).
Jigane:Ko-itame hada, well-forged and refined steel.
Hamon:Nie-based gunome-midare.
Fine kinsuji activity is seen, and the boshi enters in a midare pattern.

Features: Naotane was born around 1778 (Ansei 7) in Yamagata, Uzen Province, and was known as Shōji Minobei.
He became a disciple of Suishinshi Masahide and later served the Akimoto family along with his master.
He received the title of Chikuzen Daijō around 1821 (Bunsei 4) and was later appointed as Mino no Suke in 1848 (Kaei 1).
He passed away on May 7, 1857 (Ansei 4).
Naotane’s style was diverse.
In his early period (early Bunka era), he made works in the large ō-notare style similar to his teacher.
Around the Tenpō era, he adopted the Yamato tradition and also skillfully created works in the Sōshū, Mino, and Yamashiro traditions with suguha.
Taikei Naotane is regarded as one of the representative master swordsmiths of the Shinshinto period.
His swords from the Tenpō era are especially valued for their excellent jigane and beautiful hamon.

Aoi Art’s Comment: This wakizashi was made by Naotane at the age of 55 and is a well-crafted piece in the Sōshū tradition.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token
Aoi Art estimation paper: Whole Oshigata
*Please note: The price does not include shipping fees.