AS24648 Katana: Oite Toyama Mitsuru Teinai Shigetsugu Saku(1937)(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Katana in Shirasaya (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature:　
Showa 12 Nen 12 Gatsu Hi (December, 1937) 昭和十二年十二月日
Made by Shigetsugu at the residence of Mr. Tōyama Mitsuru
於頭山満翁邸内繁継作

We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This blade is ranked as Jyojyo Saku for Shigetsugu.

Habaki: Gold-plated double-layered
Blade Length: 68.4 cm (26.93 in)
Curvature: 1.7 cm (0.67 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.13 cm (1.23 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 2.14 cm (0.84 in)
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.74 cm (0.29 in)
Sword Weight: 730 g
Era: 1937

Shape: Slightly wide blade with deep curvature and slightly extended kissaki; Ububa edge remains.
Jigane: tightly packed Ko-itame hada with a clean appearance.
Hamon: Nioi-based chōji-midare with soft ashi; boshi is midarekomi.

Features: Kasama Ikkansai Shigetsugu, whose real name was Kasama Yoshikazu, was a swordsmith born in Shizuoka Prefecture in 1886. He forged swords at a smithy located within the residence of Tōyama Mitsuru. He received numerous awards and was also involved in producing many presentation swords. He passed away in 1966 at the age of 80. He dedicated himself to the revival and transmission of traditional Japanese sword-forging techniques and served as a mentor to prominent smiths such as Tsukamoto Okimasa and Miyairi Shohei.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate　(to be issued in September)
Aoi Art estimation paper: Whole Oshigata