AS22011 Katana:Biyo Osafune Ju Yokoyama Sukekane Saku (NBTHK Hozon Token)

Ordering number: AS22011
Katana in Shirasaya (NBTHK Hozon Token)

Signature :　Biyo Osafune Ju Yokoyama Sukekane Saku
備陽長船住横山祐包作
Keiou 3 Nen 2 Gatsuhi Tomonari 58 dai Mago
慶應三年二月日　友成五十八代孫

(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo saku, Jyo-jyo saku, Jyo saku, and regular saku)
This sword belongs to　Jyo Jyo saku ranking.
The blade was polished.
Habaki: Copper Habaki
Blade length:78.9cm or 31.0inches.
Sori:1.5cm or 0.59inches.
Mekugi:2
Width at the hamachi:3.35 cm or 1.31inches.
Width at the Kissaki:2.08 cm or 0.81inches.
Kasane:0.85 cm or 0.33inches.
The weight of the sword: 1,080 grams.
Era: Keio 3, the Edo period.
Shape: The blade is broad, thick, and long. Nakago is almost 35cm long. Apparently, it looks like swords offered to God.
Jigane: Koitamehada becomes fine to be elaborate Jigane. Well-polished.
Hamon: Koniedeki Suguha with Koshi and Ha. Hamon with soft Nioikuchi works well.

Special Feature: We have never seen this kind of work by Sukekane, with this length. We suppose this has to be a sword offered to God. This is a truly powerful work. Habaki is made of copper in the same era as the blade.

From Aoi Art: Nakago is in a good condition, with only a little rust on it. This work has rather more works of Hachu for his work, so it has to be a trace of Koto. We hope this work shall be preserved as a family treasure.

NBTHK Hozon Token
Aoi Art estimation paper: whole Oshigata by Ayaka Tsuruta