AS25607 Katana:Nakagawa Mutsu Kami Fujiwara Kaneshige Saku Kore(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Ordering number:AS25607

Katana in Shirasaya (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature: Nakagawa Mutsu Kami Fujiwara Kaneshige Saku Kore
中川陸奥守藤原包重作之

We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This piece is ranked as Jyojyo Saku among the works of Nakagawa Mutsu no Kami Fujiwara Kaneshige.

Habaki: Single-layered, made of plain copper with silver coating and shakudo coloring.
Blade Length: 69.9 cm (27.52 in)
Curvature: 2.4 cm (0.94 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.10 cm (1.22 in)
Width at Tip: 2.07 cm (0.81 in)
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.69 cm (0.27 in)
Sword Weight: 695 g
Era: Edo period, around Kanbun era (circa 1661–1673)
Shape: A wide and thick blade with deep curvature, and a slightly extended boshi (point).
Jigane: Well-forged itame hada and mokume hada forming a refined jigane.
Hamon: Suguha hamon with deep nioiguchi, creating a bright and clear temper line.
Boshi: Deep nioiguchi, round with deep turn-back (kaeri).

Aoi Art’s Comment:Nakagawa Mutsu no Kami Fujiwara Kaneshige is said to be the son of Hidari Mutsu. He was also known as Kutaro, and later took the name Kaneyasu.
This work bears a tachi-mei inscription, which is rare.
The hamon shows a deep nioiguchi and excellent workmanship.
The deep curvature and extended kissaki give the sword a fine shape.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token
Aoi Art estimation paper: Whole Oshigata