AS22469 Katana:Teishitsu Gigeiin (Imperial Household Artist) Gassan Sadakazu Kin-saku Seitanren kore (Kao)(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Katana in Shirasaya, with Tachi Koshirae, in Box (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature:　Teishitsu Gigeiin (Imperial Household Artist)
Gassan Sadakazu Kin-saku Seitanren kore (Kao)
February, 1911
Made for Mr. Takeshi Kasuga

Sayagaki: (Written by great-grandson, Gassan Sadatoshi)
Genuine sword
Omote-mei: Teishitsu Gigeiin Gassan Sadakazu Kin-saku Seitanren kore (Kao) Bizen tradition
Blade Length: 2 shaku 2 sun 5 bu
Ura-mei: February, 1911 – For Mr. Takeshi Kasuga
Early Spring of 2022 – Respectfully written by great-grandson Sadatoshi (Kao)

Hakogaki: (Written by great-grandson, Gassan Sadatoshi)
One sword
Genuine sword
Omote-mei: Teishitsu Gigeiin Gassan Sadakazu Kin-saku Seitanren kore (Kao)
Ura-mei: February, 1911 – For Mr. Takeshi Kasuga
Includes: Reproduction of Shosoin Efu Tachi Koshirae
Blade Length: 2 shaku 2 sun 5 bu
Bizen tradition
Early Spring of 2022 – Respectfully written by great-grandson Sadatoshi (Kao)

At our company, we categorize the works of swordsmiths into four levels: Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku, and Regular Saku.
This work is ranked as Jyojyo Saku among the works of Gassan Sadakazu.
Habaki: Single-layer gold-covered
Blade Length: 68.2 cm (26.85 in)
Curvature: 1.2 cm (0.47 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.41 cm (0.95 in)
Width at Yokote (Sakihaba): 1.64 cm (0.65 in)
Thickness: 0.60 cm (0.24 in)
Era: February, 1911
Shape: Slightly narrow blade width with firm thickness, forming a refined appearance.
Jigane: Well-forged ko-itame hada with high-quality steel, showing utsuri.
Hamon: Nie-deki with reversed choji-midare in the style of Aoe, containing kinsuji in parts of the blade.

Features: Gassan Sadakazu was a renowned swordsmith of the Meiji and Taisho periods and the father of Sadakatsu.
Active from the late Edo period, he continued sword-making even after the Hai-tōrei (sword prohibition decree), displaying outstanding skill.
In 1906, he was appointed as Teishitsu Gigeiin, the highest rank for a swordsmith at that time.
He created swords for Emperor Meiji, members of the Imperial Family, and prominent military figures.
He is famous for reproducing Ayasugi-hada, but also mastered Bizen and Soshu traditions, and was skilled in horimono (carving).

Koshirae:
Reproduction of Efu Tachi Koshirae from Shosoin
Fittings: Adorned with kikumon (chrysanthemum crests) in various parts
Saya (Scabbard): Gold nashiji with phoenix design in gold maki-e

Aoi Art’s Comment: This sword is a work by Gassan Sadakazu, a master swordsmith representing the Meiji and Taisho periods, forged in 1911.
He was appointed Teishitsu Gigeiin, the highest honor for a swordsmith, and produced many blades for the Imperial Family and important officials.
This sword demonstrates his exceptional skill, featuring a reversed choji-midare in the Bizen tradition with a nie-deki hamon and visible kinsuji, testifying to his advanced forging technique.
The well-forged ko-itame hada steel shows utsuri, making this a highly valuable piece for appreciation.
The koshirae is a refined reproduction of a Shosoin Efu Tachi, with a luxurious gold nashiji saya decorated with phoenix maki-e, and kikumon crests on the fittings, adding dignity to the work.
The accompanying sayagaki and box inscription by his great-grandson Gassan Sadatoshi further prove its provenance and excellent preservation.
This work, embodying the spirit and craftsmanship of the Gassan lineage, is of great value for appreciation, study, and long-term preservation.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token
Aoi Art Estimation Paper: Whole Oshigata