AS25711 Katana： Signature: Oushu Aizu Ju Kanesada Dated: Ansei 3, Year of the Dragon, 8th Month (August, 1856) (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Ordering Number: AS25711

Katana in Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature: Oushu Aizu Ju Kanesada
Dated: Ansei 3, Year of the Dragon, 8th Month (August, 1856)
奥州会津住兼定
安政三辰年八月日

Shinshinto: Jyo Saku: Iwaki
We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This sword is ranked as Jyojyo Saku for Oushu Aizu Ju Kanesada.
Habaki: Double-layered, copper base with silver
Blade Length: 2 shaku 3 sun 4 bu (70.9 cm / 27.91 in)
Curvature: 6 bu (1.8 cm / 0.71 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.05 cm (1.20 in)
Width at Tip: 2.04 cm (0.80 in)
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.67 cm (0.26 in)
Sword Weight: 725 g
Shape: A wide blade with solid thickness, moderate curvature,
and slightly extended Kissaki.
Jigane: Well-forged masame hada with a uniform and refined appearance,
resembling that of Sendai Kunikane.
Chikei is also present.
Hamon: Nie-deki Sanbonsugi-style hamon with fine kinsuji activity.
The boshi is midarekomi and turns back.

Features: Kanesada from Aizu is a very famous smith among Shinshinto makers.
This particular blade is rare for its well-forged masame-hada jigane.
The hamon is gunome-midare with kinsuji activity,
and the boshi shows a midarekomi pattern.
The blade also features kinsuji and sunagashi.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: Iron tsuba with kanji characters in gold inlay on the front.
Fuchi, Kashira, Kojiri: Iron.
Saya: Azuki-colored ishimeji saya.
Menuki: Carving of bird and moon, decorated with gold.

Aoi Art’s Comment:　The 10th generation Kanesada was a swordsmith from Iwaki,
and his workmanship was outstanding.
This piece, made with rare masame-hada jigane, closely resembles
the works of Sendai Kunikane.
The long and slender nakago and extended kissaki are also notable.
Masame-hada blades are rare, and we highly recommend this one by the 10th-gen Oushu Aizu Ju Kanesada.
While the koshirae is modest and avoids Edo-period flamboyance,
its simplicity may indeed reflect true beauty.
The well-executed masame jigane and hamon are of excellent quality.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token
AoiArt estimation paper with Whole Oshigata