AS20393 Katana in Army Koshirae.: Emura saku.

Ordering Number: AS20393

Katana in Army Koshirae.

Signature: Emura saku.
江村作

(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku).
This work is ranked as Jyojyo Saku for Emura.
Habaki: Single copper habaki with gold coloring.
Blade Length: 65.9 cm (25.94 in).
Curvature: 1.6 cm (0.63 in).
Mekugi Hole: 1.
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.12 cm (1.23 in).
Width at Tip: 2.04 cm (0.80 in).
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.7 cm (0.28 in).
Sword Weight: 715 g.
Era: Showa period, during World War II (1926–1989, wartime).
Shape: Standard width and thickness with ubuha, slightly deep curvature, and an extended kissaki.
Jigane: Ko-itame hada very well forged with ji-nie, forming a tight and refined muji-like steel.
Shinogi-ji: Ko-itame mixed with compact mokume hada.
Hamon: Ko-nie-deki, suguha from the hamachi, then changing into choji-gunome midare.
Boshi: Large notare, returning in a round shape.

Features: Emura served as the warden of Okayama Prison during the war, where it is said that a large-scale sword production workshop existed within the facility.
The craftsmen were selected from well-behaved long-term inmates, who devoted themselves to swordmaking under the warden’s supervision.
Polishing was also carried out in the same workshop.
Emura’s works are considered superior to Nagamitsu, and well-polished examples can show more interesting characteristics than Yasukuni swords.
It is expected that Showa-era swords will be more systematically ranked in the future, and Emura’s work will gain higher recognition.
This piece appears to be modeled after Kamakura-period Nagamitsu.

Koshirae:
Type: Japanese Army military mounting.

Aoi Art’s Comment: Although Emura is highly regarded among Showa-era swordsmiths, his works tend to be evaluated similarly to other Showa swords.
However, with further research, a re-evaluation is likely in the future.
As the warden of Okayama Prison, Emura is said to have devoted himself intensely to sword production, even having inmates perform the polishing.
Polishing service is available upon request for an additional fee of 50,000 yen (including shipping).

AoiArt estimation paper: Whole Oshigata.

Please note: the price does not include the shipping fees.