AS24364 Katana:Yasunori(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Katana in Shirasaya (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature: Yasunori
Showa 12 Nen 12 Gatsu Kichijitsu (December 1937)
靖徳
昭和十二年十二月吉日

We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This work is ranked as Jyojyo Saku among the works by Yasunori.
Habaki: Plain copper
Blade Length: 66.2 cm (26.06 in)
Curvature: 2.1 cm (0.83 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.92 cm (1.15 in)
Width at Yokote (Sakihaba): 2.00 cm (0.79 in)
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.7 cm (0.28 in)
Sword Weight: 695 grams
Era: Showa period, wartime
Shape: Wide blade with somewhat thick kasane and deep curvature, with a standard-length kissaki.
Jigane: Tightly forged ko-itame hada, typical of Yasukuni-to.
Hamon: Nie-deki suguha with active ko-ashi. The boshi turns back in a rounded manner.

Features:　This sword was forged by Yasunori, one of the most prestigious smiths within the Yasukuni Shrine, on an auspicious day in December, Showa 12 (1937).
Yasunori, whose real name was Tokutaro Kajiyama, was born in Hiroshima on April 20, 1907, and was a student of Yokoyama Sukeyoshi.
This piece reproduces the look of old swords, with a beautiful jigane and a suguha hamon with active ko-ashi.

Aoi Art’s Comment: This sword has an excellent shape with beautiful jigane and a clean suguha hamon with ko-ashi.
While there were once many Yasukuni-to, they are now rarely seen on the market.
These swords were produced under strict Army supervision, crafted by skilled smiths authorized to use the character “靖” (Yasu) in their signature.
Only swords that passed strict inspections for flaws in the blade or jigane were accepted.
Because of this rigorous standard, the high reputation of Yasukuni swords has endured to the present.
I believe that the reputation of Yasukuni-to will continue to be appreciated in the future.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token
Aoi Art estimation paper: Whole Oshigata