AS22121 Katana : Meiji 37 Nen 2 Gatsu Hi Osaka Ju Gassan Sadakazu Sei Kore(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Ordering number: AS22121

Katana in Shirasaya with Koshirae(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature: Meiji 37 Nen 2 Gatsu Hi Osaka Ju Gassan Sadakazu Sei Kore
明治三十七年二月日大阪住月山貞一精之
Ou Taguchi Kun Kore Tanomu
応田口君之嘱

(translation: Gassan Sadakazu, who lives in Osaka, made this sword in February, Meiji 37. For the demand of Taguchi-kun)

(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo saku, Jyojyo saku Jyo saku and regular saku)
This sword belongs to Jyo Jyo saku ranking.
habaki: Silver single habaki.
The blade was polished.
Blade length:68.2cm or 26.85inches.
Sori:1.7cm or 0.66inches.
Mekugi:1
Width at the hamachi:2.78cm or 1.09inches.
Width at the Kissaki:2.06cm or 0.81inches.
Kasane:0.62cm or 0.24inches.
The weight of the sword:590grams
Era: February, Meiji 37(1904)
Shape: The blade is normally thick and broad with Hi on the both sides, slightly deep
Sori, and longer Kissaki. Well-shaped sword.
Jigane: Koitamehada is grained well. Beautiful Jihada.
Hamon: Koniedeki Chojimidare with mixed Gunomemidare. Sunagashi and Kinsuji work in Ha. Boshi is big and turns back in a small circle.

Special feature: Gassan Minamoto Sadakazu is an adopted son of Gassan Sadayoshi
who lived at Osaka. He called Yagoro. He was born in 1836 at Hikone in Koshu
province, present Shiga pref. Gassan swrod smiths started from Kamakura period at
Dewa koku Gassan. According to tradition, Kioumaru is condidered to be the original
patriarch. Kioumaru lived in a holy pace of Dewa koku Gassan. From the Kamakura
period to late Murokachi period, they called “Ko-Gassan”. Late Edo period, Gassan
Sadayoshi moved Osaka. His adopted son (first generation of Sadakatsu) restore the
Ayasugihada which is characteristic Gassan blade. Sadakazu started to learn when he
was eleven years old. He was approved as a Teishitsu-gigeiin,
a Craftman to the Imperial Household in 1906 and received a command to make a gunto
for the Emperor Meiji in the next year. Sadakazu passed away in 1918, aged 73. This
balde has so nice Masame Hada.

Koshirae: Japanese Army Gunto Koshirae(Ikan/Junior Officer class)
*An Imperial Household Artist (Teishitsu Gigeiin) was an artist
who was officially appointed by the Imperial Household Ministry to create works of art for
the Tokyo Imperial Palace and other imperial residences.

The system came into being during the Meiji era in 1890 and was discontinued
after the end of World War II. Most pieces of work cannot be seen in public except
in the Museum of the Imperial Collections, as well as occasional pieces in the Tokyo National Museum.

From Aoi Art: This work was made by Gassan Sadakazu in Meiji 37. Hamon reminds of Aoe,
upside-down Choji is beautiful with active Ashi. Sadakazu invented the Gensuito
which traced Kogarasumaru of the Heike family treasure, and made Gunto for graduates
of Japan Army School with excellent grades. After the 1st Sadakazu,
Gassan family cooperated with swords for Imperial family, such as Tachi
for celebration of the enthronement ceremony of the Emperor Taisho, or Tachi of ceremony
of installing a Crown Prince for the later called Showa Emperor. This Gunto is Japan
Army Gunto, and it is supposed to be given to a son who graduated the Army school
and started his job as an officer, by his family. We truly recommend this one to you.

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