AS25400 Katana：Yamato Koku Nara ju Fujiwara Michiharu Saku (NBTHK Hozon Token)

Ordering number:AS25400

Katana in Shirasaya (NBTHK Hozon Token)

Signature: Yamato Koku Nara ju Fujiwara Michiharu Saku
Auspicious Day in August, 1865 (Keio 1)
大和国寧楽住藤原道晴作
慶應元年八月吉日

We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This work is ranked as Jyo Saku for the smith Yamato no Kuni Nara ju Fujiwara Michiharu.
Habaki: Single-layered made of plain copper with gold-colored decoration.
Blade Length: 71.0 cm (27.95 in)
Curvature: 0.7 cm (0.28 in)
Mekugi Hole: 2
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.21 cm (1.26 in)
Width at Yokote (Sakihaba): 1.96 cm (0.77 in)
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.8 cm (0.31 in)
Sword Weight: 835 g
Era: Late Edo period, around Keio era.(1865)
Shape: The blade is wide with a thick kasane.
The kissaki is short and compact.
Jigane: Fine and dense steel of excellent quality.
Hamon: Nie-deki with tight and rounded activity, and the boshi returns in a small circle.

Aoi Art’s Comment: This blade was made by a swordsmith who was active in Yamato in 1865.
It is a distinctive work with a long nakago, likely forged with practical use in mind for the conflicts at the end of the Edo period.

Historical Background: This sword was made during the late Edo period, an era marked by battles between the Imperial Army and the Shogunate forces.

NBTHK Hozon Token
Aoi Art estimation paper
Whole Oshigata