AS25527 Katana:Echigo no Kami Kanesada(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Ordering number: AS25527

Katana in Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token) (Tokuno Appraisal Paper)

Signature: Echigo no Kami Kanesada
越後守包貞

We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This work is ranked as Jyo Jyo Saku among the works of Echigo no Kami Kanesada.
Habaki: Suaka (copper)
Blade Length: 70.2 cm (27.64 in)
Curvature: 1.2 cm (0.47 in)
Mekugi Hole: 2
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.98 cm (1.17 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 2.02 cm (0.79 in)
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.71 cm (0.28 in)
Sword Weight: 710 g
Shape:This is a suriage (shortened from tang) work with standard width and thickness.
The kissaki is slightly long.
Jigane:Ko-itame hada, well-forged, forming a beautiful Osaka jigane.
Hamon:Nie-deki, round gunome-midare, forming a work in the style of tōranba (billowing wave pattern).

Features: Echigo Kami Kanesada imitated the second generation Sukehira in producing gunome-midare.
Compared to the gentle tōranba of Sukehira, Kanesada’s works often appear more wild and dynamic, with a deep nioiguchi and sunagashi appearing in the ha.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: Tatemaru-gata (oval shape) tsuba with openwork of pine tree and human figure.
Fuchikashira: Design of kabuto (helmet).
Saya (Scabbard): Black roiro with carved scabbard.
Menuki: Design of armor.

Aoi Art’s Comment:
Although it is a suriage piece, it is a solid work with the signature remaining completely intact.
The koshirae is also well and carefully crafted.

Historical Context: This is a work from the Kanbun era of the Edo period (around 1661–1673).
At that time, it became customary to appear at court wearing paired daisho swords.
Since the wearer would appear with a katana by Echigo no Kami Kanesada, it is likely that he was a high-ranking samurai with a considerable stipend.
With the decline of warfare, armor, helmets, and other martial gear became unnecessary, and appreciation of swords as art became common.
Flashy works, tōranba, and swords with cutting test inscriptions were favored in this period.
As times changed, demand for tantō declined, and during the Edo period they were rarely produced.
Only in the late Edo period did demand for tantō re-emerge.
Even now, it is very difficult to find tantō from the Shinto period.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token
Tokuno Appraisal Paper
Aoi Art estimation paper: Whole Oshigata