AS25282 Wakizashi: Bicchu Ju Saburobei Kunishige (NBTHK Hozon Token)

Wakizashi in Shirasaya (NBTHK Hozon Token)

Inscription: Bicchu Ju Saburobei Kunishige
備中住三郎兵衛国重

We divide works in to Saijo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku,and Regular Saku.
This piece is ranked as Jyo Saku for Bicchu Ju Saburobei Kunishige.
Habaki: Double-layered silver
Blade Length: 32.7 cm (12.87 in)
Curvature: None
Mekugi Hole: 2
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.90 cm (1.14 in)
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.59 cm (0.23 in)
Era: Early Edo period, around Keicho era (circa 1596–1615)
Shape: A slightly extended tanto with standard width and thickness, and a mitsumune ridge. Hira-zukuri (flat construction).
Bonji and double grooves (futatsu-suji-hi) are carved into the blade.
Jigane: Well-forged ko-itame hada with ji-nie.
Hamon: Ko-nie deki in a fine suguha style, with active ashi and yo. The boshi is rounded and turns back.

Features: Bitchu Ju Saburobei Kunishige was the second generation of Mizuta Kunishige and worked in Azabu and Mizuta in Bitchu Province.　This piece has some scuff marks and flaws.
For those interested, it is available separately for ¥20,000.

NBTHK Hozon Token
Aoi Art estimation paper
Whole Oshigata