AS25687 Wakizashi：Shoji Taikei Naotane (Kao) Made upon the request of Kakei Takahiro (Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Ordering Number: AS25687

Wakizashi in Shirasaya with Koshirae (Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature:Shoji Taikei Naotane (Kao)
Made upon the request of Kakei Takahiro
庄司大慶直胤(花押)
応筧孝寛需造之

Sayagaki:Taikei Naotane
Length: 1 shaku 8 sun 4 bu and a little more
September, 1952 (Showa Mizunoe-tatsu)
Written by Hon’ami Kōson (Kao)

Shinshinto: Saijyo Saku: Musashi
We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This sword is ranked as Jyojyo Saku among Naotane’s works.
Habaki: Plain copper single-piece
Blade Length: 1 shaku 9 sun 4 bu 5 rin (58.9 cm / 23.19 in)
Curvature: 4 bu 5 rin (1.36 cm / 0.54 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.54 cm (1.00 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 2.33 cm (0.92 in)
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.56 cm (0.22 in)
Sword Weight: 480 g
Era: Late Edo period.
Shape:The blade has a slightly wide body with thick kasane.
Jigane:Itame hada mixed with mokume hada, with visible ji-nie and a prominent grain texture.
The boshi is long with irregular turns.
Hamon:Nie-based gunome-midare with variety, with active sunagashi and kinsuji inside the blade.
The boshi is irregular and includes kinsuji activity.

Features: Shoji Taikei Naotane was born in Yamagata, Uzen Province.
He was also known as Shoji Mino-bei and took the name Taikei.
He studied under Suishinshi Masahide, and later served under Lord Akimoto alongside his master.
Around 1821–1822 (Bunsei 4–5), he received the title Chikuzen Daijo, and in 1848 (Kaei 1) he was granted Mino-no-suke.
He passed away on May 7, 1857 (Ansei 4) at the age of 79.
He left behind many excellent works.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: Shibuichi mokko-shaped tsuba with circular patterns carved.
Fuchikashira: Shakudo nanako ground with bird and flower motifs in gold iroe.
Saya (Scabbard): Black ishime (stone-textured) finish.
Menuki: Birds carved with gold iroe.

Aoi Art’s Comment: This is a masterpiece by Shoji Taikei Naotane.
A bohi (groove) is carved on both sides of the blade, and within the groove, Naotane’s signature is inscribed, indicating that it is ubu nakago (original tang).

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token
Aoi Art estimation paper
Whole Oshigata

Please note: the price does not include the shipping fees.