AS25128 Wakizashi: Izumi no Kami Fujiwara Kunisada(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Wakizashi: Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature:
Izumi no Kami Fujiwara Kunisada　和泉守藤原国貞
(1st generation)

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 the works by Izumi no Kami Fujiwara Kunisada.

Habaki: Single-layered silver
Blade Length: 59.2 cm (23.31 in)
Curvature: 1.3 cm (0.51 in)
Mekugi Hole: 3
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.5 cm (0.98 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 1.73 cm (0.68 in)
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.62 cm (0.24 in)
Sword Weight: 465 g

Era: the early Edo period, around Kanbun era, 17th century
Shape: slightly thin and straight blade with sharp Kissaki.
Jigane: fine Koitame hada with Jinie looksa plain
Hamon: Nie-deki thick and soft gunome-midare.

Features: Shinto: O-wazamono: Jyojyo Saku: Settsu
Izumi no Kami Fujiwara Kunisada was a student of Horikawa Kunihiro, and also studied under Kunihiro’s disciple, Echigo no Kami Kunitomo. Around 1620, he moved to Osaka, and in 1623 he received the title of “Izumi no Kami.” In his later years, due to declining health, many of his works were substituted by his son, Inoue Shinkai.

Koshirae: Handachi(semi-tachi) Koshirae
Tsuba, Fuchikashira, Kojiri: Shakudo base with arabesque
Menuki: a depict of plants
Kozuka: brass base with a picture of plants and a bird.

Aoi Art’s Comment:
This wakizashi is a large one, nearly the length of a katana, and is accompanied by an impressive one-piece han-tachi style koshirae. It is a well-made piece of excellent quality.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate
Aoi Art estimation paper: Whole Oshigata