AS22624 Katana:Sasshu Ju Masakiyo(NBTHK the 67th Juyo Token)

Ordering number: AS22624
Katana in Shirasaya with Koshirae(NBTHK the 67th Juyo Token)

Signature: Sasshu Ju Masakiyo

Shinto: Jyo-jyo saku: Satsuma
(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo saku, Jyojyo saku Jyo saku and regular saku)
This sword belongs to Jyo saku ranking.
Habaki: Gold foiled double Habaki
The blade is polished.
Blade length:77.0cm or 30.31inches.
Sori:1.5cm or 0.59inches.
Mekugi:1
Width at the hamachi:3.29cm or 1.29inches.
Width at the Kissaki:2.24cm or 0.88inches.
Kasane:0.74cm or 0.29inches.
The weight of the sword:930grams
Era: Around the Kyoho era, the Edo period
Shape: The blade is broad, thick and long.
Jigane: Koitamehada is grained well with Jinie. Beautiful Jinie.
Hamon: Niedeki Gunomemidare. Soshuden-ish. Sunagashi and Kinsuji work actively in Ha. Boshi is Hakikake.

Special feature: Sasshu Ju Masakiyo became a pupil of Maruta Sozaemon Masafusa by feudal decree. Originally named as Sugawara Kiyouemon or Kakudayu. His first Mei is Kiyomitsu. In November, Kyoho 4, the 8th Shogun Yoshimune had ordered Daimyo in Edo to gather and hand in name list of their employee swordsmiths. In those days, many people liked Koto more than Shinto, and Edo Shogunate intended to make Shinto more popular among people. 270 swordsmiths were reported to Shogun, 17 in Satsuma domain. Next year, in March of Kyoho 5, Daimyo were gathered again, and ordered to hand in one sword per one swordsmith, who was very talented and skilled, then, 40 swords were handed in. People in charge of swords checked them, and swords by Yasuyo and Chikuzen Shigekane seemed to be outstanding in quality. In September, Kyoho 5, Daimyo of Shimazu and Kuroda were told that Shogunate patronized them. (Shogun Goyotashi) Then, in January of Kyoho 6, Mondonosho Masakiyo and Ichinohira Yasuyo were ordered to make swords for Shogun Yoshimune, and allowed to use Ichiyo Aoi family crest.(one leaf althea) On the 13th of June, Kyoho 6, Masakiyo was allowed to be Mondonosho. He passed away on the 6th of june, Kyoho 15 at the age of 61. We have less number of works compared to general swordsmiths, so his works are very valuable.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: Round-shaped iron Tsuba. Patterns are engraved. The rim stands up. Mei- Yamashiro Kuni Ju Umetada Munetake
Fuchikashira: Iron plate. Arrows and a bow are engraved with gold color.
Saya: Dark-brown Ishimeji Saya
Menuki: Arrows and a bow are engraved.

From Aoi Art: Jigane is very beautiful with Jinie. Ichinohira Yasuyo and Mondonosho Masakiyo are said to be the best and most famous swordsmiths in Satsumato. The length is enough and Koshirae is solid. Tsuka is wrapped by animal skin. His works are really rare, it is difficult to find ones. The blade is long and wonderfully forged. Koshirae is very powerful. We truly recommend this one to you.

NBTHK the 67th Juyo Token
Aoi Art estimation paper: whole Oshigata　by　Ayaka Tsuruta