AS26556 Katana：Yamato no Kami Minamoto Yasumichi (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Description

Ordering Number: AS26556

Katana in Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature: Yamato no Kami Minamoto Yasumichi
大和守源康道

Shinto: Naga Jyo Saku: Mino Province
(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku).
This blade is ranked as Jyo Saku among the works of Yamato no Kami Minamoto Yasumichi.
Habaki: Single silver-foiled habaki.
Blade Length: 70.2 cm (27.64 in).
Curvature: 0.9 cm (0.35 in).
Mekugi Hole: 1.
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.08 cm (1.21 in).
Width at Yokote: 2.16 cm (0.85 in).
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.76 cm (0.30 in).
Sword Weight: 780 g.
Era: Edo period.
Shape: The blade has an ubu-nakago (original, unshortened tang), with standard mihaba and kasane.
The kissaki is slightly elongated, and the curvature is shallow, giving the blade an appearance suggestive of excellent cutting ability.
Jigane: Beautifully forged and well-refined ko-itame hada.
Hamon: The hamon begins with suguha at the hamachi and develops into choji-midare farther along the blade.
The nioiguchi is deep, and the hamon from the hamachi to approximately the middle of the blade displays a pronounced Ichimonji-style choji-midare pattern.

Features: Yamato no Kami Yasumichi was a swordsmith of Mino Province active around the Kanbun era (1661–1673).
He belonged to the Akasaka Senjuin lineage and also forged swords in Owari Province.
This blade is an exceptionally fine example of his workmanship, displaying an impressive Ichimonji-style hamon.
The temper pattern from the hamachi to the middle of the blade is particularly well executed.
Beyond this point, the hamon rises high enough to reach the shinogi-ji.
The boshi is almost ichimai in appearance, with a rounded turnback.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: A round iron tsuba featuring an openwork gunbai (war fan) design, with a silver fukurin around the rim.
Fuchikashira: Shakudo fittings decorated with high-relief carvings of seashells, highlighted with gold iroe.
Saya (Scabbard): Kawari-nuri (decorative lacquer) saya.
Kojiri: Iron kojiri with engraved patterns.
Menuki: Shakudo menuki featuring high-relief floral carvings with gold iroe.

Aoi Art’s Comment: This is an exceptionally well-forged blade featuring a beautifully executed Ichimonji-style choji hamon.
Both the hamon and jigane are of excellent quality.
Masame hada can also be observed in the shinogi-ji.

Historical Background: As Japan transitioned from the Muromachi period to the Edo period, the shape of Japanese swords underwent significant changes.
The characteristic Kanbun Shinto style emerged, featuring relatively shallow curvature and an elongated kissaki.
In Mino Province, the production of tanto declined dramatically as demand for these short blades diminished.
Swordsmiths increasingly shifted their attention to the production of katana and wakizashi.
It was during this period that swordsmiths attempted to reproduce the magnificent Ichimonji-style hamon of earlier times.
This particular blade demonstrates remarkable skill in achieving that style.
Swordsmiths of the period likely had to adapt to changing circumstances and seek out locations where they could continue their craft and earn a living.
Yasumichi appears to have been one such craftsman, producing outstanding swords while responding to the demands of his time.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token.
AoiArt estimation paper.

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