AS23660 Katana:Sakai Ikkansai Shigemasa (Mukansa Swordsmith) (NBTHK Hozon Token)

Ordering Number: AS23660

Katana in Shirasaya (NBTHK Hozon Token)

Signature: Sakai Ikkansai Shigemasa (Mukansa Swordsmith)
Forged and carved using old iron from Himeji Castle.
Haja Kensho (Destroy Evil and Reveal Righteousness).
Made in the northern part of Tokyo at the age of 64.
An auspicious day in March 1970.
Made at the request of Mr. Konagai Masatoshi.
酒井一貫斎繁政(無鑑査刀匠)
以姫路城古鉄彫同作
破邪顕正於東都城北六十四歳
昭和四十五年三月吉祥日
応小長井正敏氏需

(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 Sakai Ikkansai Shigemasa.
Habaki: Double gold-foiled habaki.
Blade Length: 73.3 cm (28.86 in).
Curvature: 2.2 cm (0.87 in).
Mekugi Hole: 1.
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.27 cm (1.29 in).
Width at Yokote: 2.39 cm (0.94 in).
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.70 cm (0.28 in).
Sword Weight: 680 g.
Era: 1970 (Showa 45).
Shape: A blade with a wide mihaba and standard kasane.
Bo-hi are carved on both sides of the blade.
The front features a magnificent horimono of Fudo Myo-o surrounded by flames, while the reverse side is carved with a dragon.
Jigane: Beautifully refined and well-forged ko-itame hada, displaying exceptionally fine steel.
Hamon: Ko-nie-deki gunome-midare with a relatively deep nioiguchi and well-defined ashi.

Features: Sakai Ikkansai Shigemasa was a swordsmith born in Shizuoka Prefecture in 1905 (Meiji 38).
His real name was Sakai Hiroshi.
In 1921 (Taisho 10), he became an apprentice to Kasama Shigetsugu.
He received the character “Shige” from his master as part of his swordsmith name.
In 1932 (Showa 7), he became independent and began forging swords at the Nihonto Tanrenjo (Japanese Sword Forging Workshop) of Yasukuni Shrine.
However, his swordmaking activities were interrupted by the end of World War II.
In 1981 (Showa 56), he was officially recognized as a Mukansa swordsmith by the Society for the Preservation of Japanese Art Swords (NBTHK).
He passed away at the age of 91.
Shigemasa executed the carvings on this blade at the age of 64.
The blade retains its original ubu-ba (unsharpened portion near the base), indicating that it remains in healthy and well-preserved condition.

Aoi Art’s Comment: Many works by Shigemasa are illustrated in the Shinshinto Taikan (Comprehensive Reference of Shinshinto Swords), and we recommend examining these examples for comparison.
This particular sword is especially noteworthy because it was forged using old iron recovered from Himeji Castle during restoration and modification work.
The steel displays a beautifully refined and well-forged jigane.
The inscription reads: “Sakai Ikkansai Shigemasa, made and carved using old iron from Himeji Castle, in the northern part of Tokyo, at the age of 64.”
The fact that the swordsmith recorded his age in the inscription suggests that he devoted considerable effort and personal attention to the creation of this blade.
The phrase Haja Kensho (破邪顕正) means “to destroy evil and reveal righteousness.”
Haja refers to overcoming evil or false teachings, while Kensho means revealing and upholding what is true and righteous.
The magnificent horimono on both sides of the blade, combined with the brilliant and flamboyant hamon, creates an exceptionally beautiful appearance.
Furthermore, the use of historic iron, including old nails and other iron materials recovered from Himeji Castle, makes this sword particularly rare and valuable.
It is also unusual for a swordsmith to engrave his age on a blade, making this an especially interesting and significant example of Shigemasa’s craftsmanship.
Overall, this is an outstanding work displaying excellent workmanship, remarkable carvings, and a fascinating historical connection to Himeji Castle.

NBTHK Hozon Token.
AoiArt estimation paper: Whole Oshigata.
Please note: The price does not include the international shipping fees.