AS24102 Katana: Yamato Daijo Fujiwara Masanori(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Katana in Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)
Signature: Yamato Daijo Fujiwara Masanori
大和大掾藤原正則

Shinto: Ryowazamono: 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 Jyojyo Saku for Yamato Daijo Fujiwara Masanori.

Habaki: Shakudo and gold colored.
Blade Length: 70.9cm (27.9in)
Curvature: 1.2cm (0.5in)
Mekugi Hole: 2
Width at Base: 3.1cm (1.2in)
Width at Tip: 2.1cm (0.8in)
Thickness: 0.7cm (0.3in)
Sword Weight: 665g
Era: the early Edo period, around Genna era (1615-1624)
Shape: the wide and thick blade with openwork-carving of Kurikara(a dragon and a swords).
Jigane: Fine Koitame-hada, well-forged with visible fine grain.
Hamon: Rounded gunome-midare continues from the hamachi to the yokote, with a rounded boshi.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: round-shaped iron tsuba carved with a dragon with silver edge.
Fuchi Kashira: Shakudo nanako plate with hi-relief carrving of a sword and Yoroi Kabuto.
Menuki: Shakudo with gold-colored patterns.
Saya: Black matte saya with a picture of a dragon.

Features: Yamato Daijo Fujiwara Masanori was active in Kyoto and Echizen from the late Muromachi period and the early Edo period. We do not know if the carving was made by a swordsmith, but the quality is very good. Sword carvings carved in openwork are rare and are said to be difficult to make.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Paper
Aoi Art estimation paper
Whole Oshigata