AS25199 Katana:Ichihara Nagamitsu Saku (Imperial Japanese Army Mounting)

Ordering number:AS25199

Katana in Koshirae (Imperial Japanese Army Mounting)

Signature: Ichihara Nagamitsu Saku
一原長光作

We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This work is ranked as Jyo Saku among the works by Ichihara Nagamitsu.
Habaki: Single-layered plain copper
Blade Length: 66.3 cm (26.10 in)
Curvature: 1.5 cm (0.59 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.10 cm (1.22 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 2.12 cm (0.83 in)
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.64 cm (0.25 in)
Sword Weight: g
Era: Wartime period
Shape: The blade has a slightly wide mihaba and thick kasane, retaining the ubu-ha and remaining in healthy condition.
Jigane: Fine ko-itame hada, tightly forged with a refined surface.
Hamon: Nie-based suguha, mixed with occasional gunome-midare. The boshi turns back roundly.

Features: Shigetaro Emura, the warden of Okayama Prison, engaged in sword production within the prison with the hope of rehabilitating earnest inmates through craftsmanship. He produced many Japanese swords during this time. Ichihara Nagamitsu, a swordsmith from Okayama Prefecture, was invited to the prison and trained inmates in sword-making. Nagamitsu was well-known locally as a government-commissioned swordsmith for the Imperial Army and had his works selected for the Army Swordsmith Encouragement Association.
It is said that Emura set up a polishing facility where the finished swords were polished. There are notable differences in workmanship between Nagamitsu and Emura, which await further research.
Nagamitsu used various signatures including simply “Nagamitsu”, “Ichihara Nagamitsu Saku”, “Ichihara Ichiryushi Nagamitsu”, “Okayama-jo Nagamitsu”, and other long inscriptions.

Koshirae: Imperial Japanese Army Mounting (Dai Nippon Teikoku Rikugun Koshirae)

Aoi Art’s Comment: The koshirae is in good condition, and the blade bears the somewhat longer signature “Ichihara Nagamitsu Saku”.
Please take good care of it and preserve it well for the future.
If you wish to have the blade polished, we can provide this service for an additional ¥60,000 (including shipping).

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