AS24603 Katana：Omi no Kami Fujiwara Tsuguhiro Echizen Ju Shimosaka(NBTHK Tokubetsu Kicho Token)

Ordering number:AS24603

Katana in Shirasaya, with Koshirae (NBTHK Tokubetsu Kicho Token)

Signature: Omi no Kami Fujiwara Tsuguhiro
Echizen Ju Shimosaka
近江守藤原継廣
越前住下坂

Shinto: Wazamono: Jyo Saku: Echizen
We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This work is ranked as Jyo Saku among the works of Omi no Kami Fujiwara Tsuguhiro.
Habaki: Single-layered gold-covered habaki
Blade Length: 70.0 cm (27.56 in)
Curvature: 1.7 cm (0.67 in)
Mekugi Hole: 2
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.96 cm (1.17 in)
Width at Yokote (Sakihaba): 1.93 cm (0.76 in)
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.71 cm (0.28 in)
Sword Weight: 805 g
Era: Edo period, around Kanbun era (1661–1673)
Shape: Slightly wide blade with well-forged thickness, deep curvature, and slightly extended kissaki.
Jigane: Well-forged itame-hada with visible grain pattern.
Hamon: Slightly subdued choji-midare.
The blade shows activity such as sunagashi and kinsuji, with the boshi midare turning back into a small rounded point.

Features: Most swordsmiths from Echizen inscribe the mei on the front and carve “Echizen Ju” or “Echizen Ju Shimosaka” on the back.
This appears to have been a common practice.
Echizen swordsmiths emphasized cutting ability, and many works show subdued hamon patterns, which should be considered a distinctive trait.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: Circular iron tsuba with Amida-yasuri carving and blade-like shapes.
Fuchikashira: Iron base with horse motifs, highlighted with gold.
Signature possibly reads “Moto”.
Saya (Scabbard): Black glossy lacquered saya.
Menuki: Shakudo base with high-relief plant motifs.

Aoi Art’s Comment: This sword seems to have been owned by a typical samurai.
Though the blade by Omi no Kami Fujiwara Tsuguhiro has been shortened and has a new machi, its hamon suggests good cutting ability and subdued tempering.
In addition, the presence of fine sunagashi and kinsuji indicates a highly practical sword.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Kicho Token
Aoi Art estimation paper: Whole Oshigata