AS25288 Tanto:Masatoshi

Tanto in Shirasaya

Signature: Masatoshi Saku
Showa 46 Nen 5 Gatsu Hi(May 1971)
Made upon request from Hoshijima Masahiro
正寿作
昭和四十六年五月日
應星島正裕需

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 Masatoshi’s works.
Double layer-ed Gold painted Habaki
Blade Length: 27.6 cm (10.87 in)
Curvature: 0.2 cm (0.08 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.92 cm (1.15 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 2.85 cm (1.12 in)
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.56 cm (0.22 in)
Sword Weight: 210 grams
Era: Modern
Shape: A wide blade with thick kasane and remaining original ha, showing a very healthy condition.
It has a mitsumune (three-sided ridge) and features a suken (sacred sword engraving) on one side, with dual grooves on the reverse.
Jigane: Ko-itame hada, well-forged and of fine quality.
Hamon: Ko-nie-based, beautifully formed sakasa chōji-midare in the style of Aoe.
It has a glamorous appearance with the boshi returning long in a komaru shape.

Features: Masatoshi is a swordsmith based in Saitama Prefecture, known as Ozawa Masatoshi, residing in Bushu Masamaru-toge.
He has received the Takamatsunomiya Prize, Mainichi Award, Excellence Award, six Encouragement Awards, and nine Effort Awards.
A student of Miyaguchi Toshihiro and Tsukamoto Okimasa, he has produced many works nearly at the mukansa level.
This piece has excellent shape and shows vivid kinsuji activity within the blade.
It is a superb sakasa chōji-midare in the style of Aoe.

Aoi Art’s Comment: Masatoshi, also known as Ozawa Masatoshi, is a highly skilled swordsmith.
This work is an excellent reproduction of Aoe’s sakasa chōji, and has earned many awards. It is a superb piece and highly recommended.

Aoi Art estimation paper: Whole Oshigata