AS25522 Katana :Shimousa Daijo Fujiwara Kanemasa Resident of Echizen(NBTHK Hozon Token)

Ordering number:AS25522

Katana in Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Hozon Token)

Signature: Shimousa Daijo Fujiwara Kanemasa
Resident of Echizen
下総大掾藤原兼正
越前住

Shinto: Wazamono: Chu Saku: Echizen
We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This piece is ranked as Jyo Saku among the works of Shimousa Daijo Fujiwara Kanemasa.
Habaki: Single silver Habaki
Blade Length: 63.2 cm (24.88 in)
Curvature: 0.6 cm (0.24 in)
Mekugi Hole: 2
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.15 cm (1.24 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 2.07 cm (0.81 in)
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.66 cm (0.26 in)
Sword Weight: 620 grams
Shape: A robust blade with substantial width and thickness, shallow curvature, and an extended kissaki.
Jigane: Beautifully forged jigane with well-refined nie-deki.
Hamon: Small nie-deki, forming a chu-suguha. The nioiguchi is slightly deep with entering ko-ashi, and the boshi is rounded with a gentle return.

Features: Shimousa Daijo Fujiwara Kanemasa was an Echizen swordsmith active during the Edo period. He was also known as Hattori Kichibei and is said to have resided in Hikone, Omi Province as well.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: Round iron tsuba with gold and silver inlay along the rim.
Fuchikashira: Iron base with decorative patterns.
Saya (Scabbard): The front part is vermilion with engraved lines, and the remainder is finished in black gloss (kuro-roiro).
Kojiri: Iron base with gold-colored decorative painting.
Menuki: Gold-colored decorative high-relief carving of a dragon motif with gold embellishments.

Historical Background (Around the Kanbun Era):
This was a time when tōranba (large wavy hamon) and carved blade decorations were highly favored.
Cutting test inscriptions (sadanmei) also became more common.
After the end of the Muromachi period, the production of tantō ceased entirely.
The samurai class began strictly observing codes of conduct, and it became institutionalized for them to wear both a katana and a wakizashi when entering a castle.

NBTHK Hozon Token
Aoi Art estimation paper: Whole Oshigata