AS20396-Katana: To-o Aizuhanshin Miyoshi Nagamichi

Katana in Shirasaya(NBTHK Hozon Token)

Signature: To-o Aizuhanshin Miyoshi Nagamichi
Bunsei 11 Tsuchinoe-Ne Nen 2 Gatsu Hi
Hokuetsu Oite Shibata Koto Tanshihozume Zo Kore
Tsuba Kiri Shibata Hanshin Izumi Nobuyuki Iko Zo Kore
Shimosaka Tame Naofuku Miru Kore

ShinShinto: Chu Jyo Saku: Mutsu
(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo saku, Jyojyo saku Jyo saku and regular
saku)
This sword belongs to Jyo Saku ranking.
The blade was polished.

Habaki: copper single habaki.
Blade length: 84.4 cm or 33.2inches.
Sori: 1.6cm or inches.
Mekugi: 2
Width at the hamachi:3.29 cm or 1.29inches.
Width at the Kissaki:1.98 cm or 0.7inches.
Kasane :0.83 cm or 0.32inches.
The weight of the sword 940 grams.

Era : Late Edo period Bunsei Tsuchinoe-Ne(1826)
Shape : 84.4cm. long, thick and wide blade with deep Sori, longer Kissaki.
Jigane : Ko Itame Hada well grained with Jinie attach.
The Jigane is beautiful. There is a Kitae Kizu.
Hamon : Nie Deki, Suguha and Ko Gunome Midare. Nioikuchi is soft. Boshi is round shape. The blade reminds of Koto Bizen Yoshii.

Special feature: Miyoshi Nagamichi was extremely popular as a feudal lord of the Aizu clan. The first generation started from the Kanbun era and they continued until the 9th generation. This blade was made by the 7th generation. He was a nephew of the 6th Nagamichi and the same person as the 6th Masagana. He was called Gonzo.
He passed away in March 29th, Tenpo 3rd(1832).

From Aoi Art: (Explanation of the signature) Miyoshi Nagamich was a Samurai of the Higashi Aizu clan. He made this blade with Shihozume style at the Shibata, Hokuetsu province in Feb 1826.
“Tsuba Kiri” probably means that the Tsuba was cut and the sharpness was good.
It seems that this can be in interpreted in various ways with “Shimosaka Tame Naofuku Miru Kore”…　Unfortunately we are not sure about it.
There was a Samurai named Izumi Nobuyuki in Shibata Domain.
We think that Izumi Nobuyuki asked to make this sword.
The blade is long 84.4cm and Ububa remains. Probably the blade is too long to be used in combat and has been preserved as it is.
In any case, this sword is very valuable work as a material.
Hamon reminds Ko-Yoshi-i style deep Nioikuchi with Ko-Gunome-midare.

NBTHK Hozon Token
Aoi Art estimation paper: whole Oshigata.