AS25003 Katana:Sakai Ikkansai Shigemasa, Hori Do-saku(engraved by himself) A lucky day in August, 1962(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Katana in Shirasaya (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature: Sakai Ikkansai Shigemasa, Hori Do-saku(engraved by himself)
A lucky day in August, 1962
酒井一貫斎繁政彫同作
昭和三十七年八月吉日

We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This sword is ranked as Jyojyo Saku for works by Sakai Ikkansai Shigemasa.

Habaki:Copper base. Single layer. Gold plating.
Blade Length: 73.2 cm (28.82 in)
Curvature: 2.4 cm (0.94 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.38 cm (1.33 in)
Width at Tip: 2.24 cm (0.88 in)
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.62 cm (0.24 in)
Sword Weight: 745 grams

Era: 1962 (Showa 37)

Shape: The blade is slightly wide, thick on the spine, with deep curvature and an extended kissaki.
On the blade surface, a dragon is deeply carved in high relief, and on the reverse, a ken (sacred sword) and dokko (vajra) are engraved, both done by the smith himself.

Jigane: Ko-itame hada is well-forged and shows a beautiful steel surface.
Hamon: Made in nioi-deki with gunome-midare, with well-defined ashi, and the boshi is midare-komi (irregular).

Features:
In 1981, he received multiple awards and was officially certified as Mukansa by the NBTHK.
His carvings, especially of dragons, are particularly outstanding, and this blade is a superb example.
It is expected to receive high appraisal in the future.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token
Aoi Art estimation paper: Whole Oshigata