AS25212 Katana：Tairyusai Sokan Zo Kore(Tokubetsu Hozon Token) (Tsuba: Hozon Tosogu)

Katana in Shirasaya with Koshirae (Tokubetsu Hozon Token) (Tsuba: Hozon Tosogu)

Signature: Tairyusai Sokan Zo Kore
Ansei 3, Hinoe-Tatsu Nen 2 Gatsu Hi (February, 1856)
泰龍斎宗寛造之
安政三丙辰年二月日

Sayagaki: By Mr.Tanobe
Tairyusai Muneyasu
Dated Ansei 3
This piece bears an inscription from just before he transitioned to the Reisho-style signature.
The workmanship is excellent, showcasing a flamboyant style within his body of work.
Blade Length: 2 shaku 3 sun 4.5 bu (71.0 cm / 27.95 in)
Dated: Kōshin Year, Late September (2004)
Examined and written by Tanzan (with kaō)

Shinshinto: Jyo Saku: Musashi
(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku)
This piece is ranked as Jyojyo Saku among the works of Tairyusai Muneyasu.
Habaki: Single-layered, gold-covered
Blade Length: 71.0 cm (27.95 in)
Curvature: 2.0 cm (0.79 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.23 cm (1.27 in)
Width at Yokote (Sakihaba): 2.43 cm (0.96 in)
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.81 cm (0.32 in)
Sword Weight: 835 g
Era: Edo period, Ansei era
Shape: Wide blade with deep curvature. The boshi is deep and long.
Jigane: Finely forged ko-itame with excellent quality.
Hamon: Starts in suguha at the hamachi, then transitions to choji-midare mixed with gunome-midare. The boshi becomes wavy and returns in a round shape.

Features: This is a healthy work with the original blade edge intact by Tairyusai Muneyasu.
As noted in the sayagaki, it is from his early period, just before adopting the Reisho-style mei.
It closely resembles excellent works by Koyama Munetsugu.
The choji-midare is bright and clear, making it a splendid piece.
His masterpieces are said to feature gunome-midare with evenly aligned heads, showing fine utsuri above each peak.
While this early work lacks utsuri, the hamon is bright and vivid.
I regard this piece as an outstanding example of Muneyasu’s craftsmanship.
A student of Koyama Munetsugu, he was born in Furukawa, Abukumagawa.
His work in this piece exceeds even that of his teacher.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: (Hozon Tosogu) Mumei (Higo). Iron, vertically oval shape with inlaid gold and silver motifs of nine-star crest and cherry blossoms in arabesque.
Fuchikashira: Shakudo with deeply carved image of a sage, decorated with gold.
Saya (Scabbard): Black lacquered.
Kojiri: Iron with insect motif.
Menuki: Dragon motif.

Historical Context: On the 25th day of the 8th month of Ansei 3 (September 23, 1856), a major wind and flood disaster known as the “Great Storm of Ansei 3” struck.
A powerful typhoon passed close to Edo, causing widespread damage from storm winds and high tides throughout the city.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token Certificate
Tsuba: NBTHK Hozon Tosogu Certificate
Aoi Art estimation paper: Whole Oshigata