AS13725 Tachi:Izumo-jū Tadayoshi Saku (1st Generation) (NBTHK Hozon Token)

Ordering number:AS13725

Tachi: Katana in Shirasaya (NBTHK Hozon Token)

Signature: Izumo-jū Tadayoshi Saku (1st Generation)
出雲住忠善作(初代)

We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This work is ranked as Jyo Saku among the works of the 1st Generation Izumo-jū Tadayoshi.
Habaki: Single plain copper habaki
Blade Length: 64.4 cm (25.35 in)
Curvature: 1.4 cm (0.55 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.26 cm (1.28 in)
Width at Yokote (Sakihaba): 2.16 cm (0.85 in)
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.69 cm (0.27 in)
Sword Weight: 745 g
Era: Wartime period
Shape:This is a healthy sword with wide body and preserved ubu-ha (unsharpened part near the tang).
It has a thick kasane, deep curvature, and an extended kissaki, giving it a well-balanced shape.
The back of the tang is engraved with the naval Minatogawa Shrine mark.
It is considered similar to the Yasukuni-to made for the army.
Jigane:Well-forged ko-itame hada forming a refined steel.
Hamon:Nie-based gunome-midare with well-developed ashi.
The boshi is notare, rounded and turns back.

Features:　The 1st generation Kawashima Tadayoshi was a swordsmith from Shimane, born in 1892 (Meiji 25).
He is ranked as Saijyo O-waza (highest great skill level).
This is a solid piece with a nie-based gunome-midare hamon that continues from the hamachi to the yokote, with well-defined ashi.

Aoi Art’s Comment:　What makes this piece rare is the engraving on the tang indicating that it was made at Minatogawa Shrine.
This is the first time I have seen such a piece.
While Yasukuni-to made for the army are seen frequently, swords made at Minatogawa Shrine are extremely rare.
Reportedly, the army had far more personnel than the navy.
As a result, few swords were made at Minatogawa Shrine.
Also, many naval officers perished with their ships, which further reduced the survival rate of these swords.

NBTHK Hozon Token
Aoi Art estimation paper: Whole Oshigata
*Please note: The price does not include shipping fees.