AS25445 Katana:Bishu Osafune Sukesada saku. Dated: August, Tensho 3 (1576). (NBTHK Hozon Token).

Ordering number:AS25445

Katana in Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Hozon Token).

Signature: Bishu Osafune Sukesada saku.
Dated: August, Tensho 3 (1576).
備州長船祐定作
天正三年八月日

(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku).
The quality of this work is ranked as Jyo Saku among Bishu Osafune Sukesada works.

Habaki: Plain copper, single habaki.
Blade Length: 67.40 cm (26.54 in).
Curvature: 1.80 cm (0.71 in).
Mekugi Hole: 2.
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.24 cm (1.28 in).
Width at Tip: 2.23 cm (0.88 in).
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.69 cm (0.27 in).
Sword Weight: 785 grams.
Era: Tensho 3, August (1576), approximately 452 years ago.
Shape: Somewhat wide mihaba with thick kasane, deep curvature, and an extended kissaki.
Jigane: Itame hada mixed with mokume hada, with utsuri appearing in the ji.
Hamon: Nie-deki gunome midare, with the boshi running into midare, forming a double hamon, rich in variation.

Features:
Sukesada was a swordsmith of the late Muromachi period, and this work bears a clear date of Tensho 3.
On August 15 of Tensho 3 (1575, old calendar), the Echizen Ikko-ikki was destroyed.
Oda Nobunaga advanced his forces from Echizen Tsuruga, with Hashiba Hideyoshi and Akechi Mitsuhide as the vanguard, attacking the Ikko-ikki.
With the fall of Suzugi Castle, many casualties occurred and the uprising was almost completely suppressed.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: Round iron tsuba with openwork carving of ginkgo leaves, the rim decorated with gold-colored inlay.
Fuchikashira: Shakudo nanako ground with a dragon in high relief, decorated with gold-colored accents.
Saya (Scabbard): Black roiro lacquer saya.
Menuki: Plant motifs carved and decorated with gold-colored accents.

Aoi Art’s Comment:
This is a work from the Tensho era of the late Muromachi period, with a clear and reliable signature.
It has deep curvature and an excellent shape with an extended kissaki.
The koshirae is also well made and solid.
We highly recommend this piece.

NBTHK Hozon Token.
AoiArt estimation paper.
Whole Oshigata