AS25545 Katana:Hokke Saburo Nobufusa (Guarntee: NBTHK Hozon Token)

Ordering Number: AS25545

Katana in Shirasaya (Guarntee: NBTHK Hozon Token)

Signature: Hokke Saburo Nobufusa
法華三郎信房

We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This blade is ranked as Jyo Saku.

Habaki:Copper base, shilver foiled, shingle-layerd.
Blade Length: 63.6 cm (25.04 in)
Curvature: 1.7 cm (0.67 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.86 cm (1.13 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 2.03 cm (0.80 in)
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.70 cm (0.28 in)
Sword Weight: 690 g

Shape:
The blade is slightly wide, of normal thickness, with a deep curvature and an extended kissaki, showing an elegant overall shape.

Jigane:
Well-forged ko-itame hada, forming a fine steel texture.

Hamon:
Nie-deki with gunome-midare, featuring active ko-ashi, forming a clean and consistent hamon.

Features:
Hokke Saburo Nobufusa was born on May 15, 1909.
He was also known as Ryouun.
A swordsmith from Miyagi Prefecture, his family originally served as swordsmiths for the Mutsu Sendai Domain.
His real name was Noboru Takahashi.
He produced numerous swords during the wartime period.
In 1966, he was designated as an Important Intangible Cultural Property of Miyagi Prefecture.
He passed away at the age of 91 on October 25, 2000.

Many of his works made during the war remain unsigned, as production ceased before signatures could be inscribed due to the end of the war.
This particular piece, however, was signed before the war ended.
It shows kin-suji in parts, demonstrating a high level of craftsmanship.

Although he was a renowned gunto swordsmith, he has unfortunately passed away.
His style has been succeeded by his eldest son, Hokke Saburo Nobufusa (9th generation), and his grandson, Eiki Takahashi.
Both currently produce works based on the Yamato-den Hosho tradition, continuing the lineage of the Hokke school.

Aoi Art’s Comment:
This piece is finely polished, with the blade surface carefully finished, allowing the ha to be clearly seen.

Historical background:
The first generation produced choji-midare jigane, but the later generations transitioned to masame-hada.

Aoi Art estimation paper: Whole Oshigata

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