AS25221 Katana:Musashi Taro Yasuyuki(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token) (NBTHK Tokubetsu Kicho Token)

Katana in Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token) (NBTHK Tokubetsu Kicho Token)

Signature: Musashi Taro Yasuyuki
Shin 15 Mai Kojo Saku
武蔵太郎安国
真十五枚甲伏作

Sayagaki: Musashi Taro Yasuyuki
Nagasa: 2 shaku 3 bu (approximately 69.4 cm)
Dated October, Showa Mizunoe-tatsu (1972)
Written by Hon’ami Koko (with Kao)

We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This sword is ranked as Jyojyo Saku (excellent workmanship) among works by Musashi Taro Yasuyuki.
Habaki: Single-layered gold-covered
Blade Length: 69.4 cm (27.32 in)
Curvature: 2.1 cm (0.83 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.57 cm (1.41 in)
Width at Yokote (Sakihaba): 2.62 cm (1.03 in)
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.8 cm (0.31 in)
Sword Weight: 880 g
Era: Edo period, around the Genroku era (late 17th century)
Shape:The blade has a wide body with thick kasane and a deep curvature.
It features a carved bohi (groove) and maintains an overall healthy shape.
Jigane: Itame hada with well-forged, fine ko-itame grain.
Hamon:Made with nioi and nie, beginning with a straight hamon from the hamachi and transitioning into a gunome-midare.
The boshi (tip) returns in a round shape.

Features: Musashi Taro Yasuyuki was a student of Omura Kahaku, belonging to the Shimohara school.
He resided in Azabu, Edo.
He was well-known and quite popular even in his time.
The inscription “True 15-layered Kobuse style” on the back indicates the method used to forge this sword.
This sword became famous because actor Chiezō Kataoka used a Musashi Taro Yasuyuki blade in the film Daibosatsu Toge, gaining popularity in postwar Japan.
This work features a wide body, deep curvature, and carved bohi, with a long kissaki, giving it a majestic appearance.

Aoi Art’s Comment: Musashi Taro Yasuyuki gained fame through his association with film.
When Chiezō Kataoka appeared in movies, even I would be pleased to see him.
Since then, for some reason, the name Musashi Taro Yasuyuki has always remained in my memory.
For those who wish to have the koshirae scabbard re-lacquered, we can provide this service for an additional fee of ¥20,000.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: Oval-shaped iron tsuba with two deer standing still.
Fuchikashira: Iron fittings decorated with floral patterns.
Saya: Black gloss lacquered scabbard.
Menuki: Made of shakudo, engraved with patterns and decorated with gold inlay.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token
NBTHK Tokubetsu Kicho Token
Aoi Art estimation paper
Whole Oshigata