AS22664 Katana: Bizen Osafune ju Yokoyama Suketada(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Katana in Shirasaya with Koshirae(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature: Bizen Osafune ju Yokoyama Suketada
Meiji 3 Nen 8 Gatsu Hi(August, 1870)
備前長船住横山祐忠
明治三年八月日

Shinshinto: Bizen
We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This work is ranked as Jyojyo Saku for Bizen Osafune ju Yokoyama Suketada.
Habaki: Single-layered gold-covered
Blade Length: 63.64 cm (25.05 in)
Curvature: 1.82 cm (0.72 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.13 cm (1.23 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 2.19 cm (0.86 in)
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.69 cm (0.27 in)
Sword Weight: 710 g
Era: Meiji 3 (1870)
Shape: The blade has slightly wide width and a solid thickness, with moderate curvature.
The kissaki is extended, and the blade is well-preserved with a long untempered section (ubu-ha).
Jigane: Ko-itame hada, well-forged and nearly plain.
The shinogiji shows a masame-free texture, clearly reflecting the characteristics of the Yokoyama school.
Hamon: Choji-midare in nioi-deki style, working actively.
From the hamachi, the hamon starts as suguha and transitions into a beautiful choji, resembling the styles of Yokoyama Sukekane and Sukenaga.

Features:
The works of the Yokoyama school are characterized by their distinctive, beautiful choji hamon.
Many swordsmiths created similar styles under the traditions of Yokoyama Sukekane and Sukenaga.
This type of choji hamon is technically difficult to produce, making this a flawless and remarkable work.
We highly recommend this sword.
In Meiji 4 (1871), the Haitōrei (Sword Abolishment Edict) was issued, banning the production of Japanese swords.
Many swordsmiths lost their livelihoods.
As Suketada was a highly skilled swordsmith at the time, he likely faced extreme hardship during this period.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: Round iron tsuba with openwork carving of peony design.
Menuki: Peony motif in high relief with gold detailing on shakudo base.
Fuchikashira: Peony motif in high relief with gold detailing on shakudo base.
Saya (Scabbard): Black roiro lacquer saya with carved section.　

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token Certificate
Aoi Art estimation paper: Whole Oshigata