AS25031 Katana: Izumi no Kami Fujiwara Kunisada(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Katana in Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature: Izumi no Kami Fujiwara Kunisada
Keian 2 Nen 8 Gatsu Hi(August, 1649)
和泉守藤原国貞
慶安二年八月日

We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This sword is ranked as Jyojyo Saku among works by Izumi no Kami Fujiwara Kunisada.
Habaki: Gold-plated double habaki
Blade Length: 71.2 cm (28.03 in)
Curvature: 1.5 cm (0.59 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.99 cm (1.18 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 2.04 cm (0.80 in)
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.7 cm (0.28 in)
Sword Weight: 720 g
Era: Around Kanbun era, Edo period (circa 1661–1673)
Shape: The blade has a standard width with curvature near the base and a typical kissaki (tip).
Jigane: Dense and refined ko-itame hada.
Hamon: Nie-deki with deep and bright nioiguchi, showing well-defined gunome-midare. It begins with suguha near the hamachi and then transitions into gunome-midare. The boshi is round and turns back.

Features:　This sword bears an inscription on the back dated August, 1649.
Such ura-mei (back inscriptions) are rare for works by Kunisada, making this a valuable piece.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: Round iron tsuba with an openwork design of a man fighting a demon, decorated with gold color painting.
Fuchikashira: Decorated with motifs of plum blossoms and battle scenes, with gold color painting.
Saya (Scabbard): Black lacquered saya.
Menuki: Figures of a person and a demon, carved and decorated with gold color painting.

Aoi Art’s Comment:This is a high-quality work signed Izumi no Kami Fujiwara Kunisada, with a rare ura-mei inscription.
The koshirae is made using fine fittings, each of which is an excellent work.

Historical Background:The Shimabara Rebellion occurred in 1637–1638 in Amakusa and Shimabara.
It was a peasant uprising caused by the Tokugawa shogunate’s persecution of Christians.
Over twenty thousand Christians, led by Amakusa Shirō, took refuge in Hara Castle, which was eventually besieged by Matsudaira Nobutsuna.
All defenders were killed after the castle fell.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token
Aoi Art estimation paper
Whole Oshigata