AS24837 Wakizashi: Higashiyama ju Yoshihira (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Ordering number: AS24837

Wakizashi: in Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature: Higashiyama ju Yoshihira
Ordered by Masanari
東山住美平
主昌就

Shinto: Wazamono (cutting ability): Jyojyo Saku: Yamashiro
We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This work is ranked as Jyojyo Saku (high-grade work) among the works by Higashiyama ju Yoshihira.
Habaki: Single-layer gold foil
Blade Length: 1 shaku 6 sun 7 bu 1 rin → 50.63 cm (19.94 in)
Curvature: 6 bu → 1.82 cm (0.72 in)
Mekugi Hole: 2
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.27 cm (1.29 in)
Width at Yokote (Sakihaba): 2.35 cm (0.93 in)
Thickness at Rim (Kasane): 0.58 cm (0.23 in)
Sword Weight: 530 g
Era: Early Edo period. Around Tenna, 1681
Shape: Wide blade with thick kasane, deep curvature, and slightly extended kissaki.
Jigane: Hada is prominent and clearly visible.
Hamon: Nie-based gunome-midare with deep nioiguchi. Inside the ha appear kinsuji and sunagashi.
The boshi is a single-piece style.

Features: Higashiyama ju Yoshihira is said to have been a student of Umetada Myoju.Very few authentic examples of his work exist, as many forgeries are known.The boshi being a single-piece type is one of his distinguishing traits.
The hamon bends above the yokote, reaches the shinogi-ji, and returns deeply, another characteristic feature.
The inscription “Shushoju” on the ura indicates that someone named Shusho commissioned this sword.
This piece has a wide body, deep curvature, and single-piece boshi, giving it a solid and impressive presence.

Koshirae:
Saya: Black lacquered saya
Kurigata: Shakudo nanako-ji, engraved with patterns, decorated with gold iroe
Kozuka: Shakudo nanako-ji, engraved with bird motif, decorated with gold iroe (Signed: Goto Tatsunori), complete with kogatana
Fuchikashira: (Signed: Hidenaga) Shakudo nanako-ji, engraved with shishi, decorated with gold iroe
Menuki: Shakudo, engraved with floral motif, decorated with gold iroe
Tsuba: Cross-shaped iron tsuba with sukashi carving

Aoi Art’s Comment: This is an excellent work by Higashiyama ju Yoshihira, notable for its robust construction and healthy shape.
The koshirae is also of fine quality, making this piece highly recommendable.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token Certificate(*the paper will be issued later)
Copy of Token Bijutsu issue No. 616 featuring this sword
Aoi Art Estimation Paper: Whole Oshigata