AS22478 Wakizashi:Taikei Naotane(Kao)(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Ordering number: AS22478
Wakizashi in Shirasaya (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature: Taikei Naotane(Kao)
大慶直胤(花押)
Oite Todai Joka Tsukuru Kore
於東大城下作之

Shinshin to:Saijyo saku: Musashi
(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: Brass single Habaki
The blade was polished.
Blade length:40.4cm or 15.90inches.
Sori:1.2cm or 0.47inches.
Mekugi:1
Width at the hamachi:2.97cm or 1.16inches.
Width at the Kissaki:2.71cm or 1.06inches.
Kasane:0.7cm or 0.27inches.
The weight of the sword:450grams
Era: Around the Tempo era, the Edo period
Shape: The blade is broad and thick with normal Sori and slightly longer Kissaki. Ububa is left.
Jigane: Typical Naotane black Chikei is seen in Jigane.
Hamon: Niedeki with deep Nioikuchi, Gunomemidare with Chojimidare. Sunagashi and Kinsuji work in Ha. Boshi is Hakikake like flame. Sunagashi works there and it turns back to make Yaki appear into Shinogiji and Mune.

Special feature: Taikei Naotane was born in Yamagata, Dewa province in Anei 7. His real name was Shoji Minobei and his artisan name was Taikei. He succeeded to Chikuzen Daijo in Bunsei 5 and moved to Kyoto in Kaei 1 to become Mino Suke. He moved to Edo when he was still young to become a pupil of Suishinshi Masahide. He served Lord Akimoto, as well as his master, and became brilliant swordsmith together with
Hosokawa Masayoshi. It is said that he became a pupil around Kansei 11-12. He passed away on the 7th of May, Ansei 4. He went on 3 long journeys in his late ages. He visited Ise shrine, Mishima, Shuzen temple, and Hamamatsu, and he made swords there, and engraved the place on his Nakago.

From Aoi Art: When he was at Suishinshi Masahide, Masahide was still making a lot of Toranba and Gunomemidare, and became popular, but Toranba had a weak point: they are easy to break. So, he started to make Fukko-to, restration swords. Nowadays,
swords are not for fight, but for appreciation, so many people like gorgeous Hamon. On the other hand, Taikei Naotanemade relatively gorgeous Soshuden works, or Chojimidare works to get his popularity. He also made works with Utsuri in Bizenden works. Hamon is bright and this Chikei-shaped Hamon, like swirl, is his typical and unique Hamon.

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