AS26286 Katana：Miyairi Akihira Saku Kore An auspicious day in February, Showa 34 (1959), Made for Mr. Kunio Kanzawa (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Ordering Number: AS26286

Katana in Shirasaya (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature: Miyairi Akihira Saku Kore
An auspicious day in February, Showa 34 (1959),
Made for Mr. Kunio Kanzawa
宮入昭平作之
昭和丗四年二月吉日為
神澤邦雄氏

(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku).
This blade is ranked as Saijyo Saku among the works of Miyairi Akihira.
Habaki: Single-layer gold habaki.
Blade Length: 73.0 cm (28.74 in).
Curvature: 2.6 cm (1.02 in).
Mekugi Hole: 1.
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.41 cm (1.34 in).
Width at Yokote: 2.48 cm (0.98 in).
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.73 cm (0.29 in).
Sword Weight: 855 g.
Era: Showa 34 (1959).
Shape: A magnificent blade with wide mihaba, substantial kasane, and the original cutting edge preserved.
A bohi is carved into the blade.
The sword features a long kissaki and deep curvature, creating an impressive overall shape.
Jigane: Well-forged ko-itame hada producing excellent quality steel.
Hamon: Nie-deki gunome-midare with active ashi.

Features: Miyairi Akihira was born in Sakaki Town, Nagano Prefecture, in Taisho 2 (1913).
In Showa 12 (1937), he entered the Kurihara Hikosaburo Japanese Sword Forging Institute, where he received the Grand Honor Prize as well as awards from the Minister of the Navy and the Minister of Education.
In 1963 (Showa 38), at the age of 49, he became the youngest swordsmith to be designated a Living National Treasure (Important Intangible Cultural Property).
He forged the ceremonial tachi for the 60th and 61st Ise Grand Shrine Sengu ceremonies.
In 1977, he was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette (4th Class).

Aoi Art’s Comment: Living National Treasures in Japanese swordsmithing include:

Takahashi Sadatsugu: Designated in 1955.
Miyairi Yukihira: Designated in 1963.
Gassan Sadakazu: Designated in 1971.
Sumitani Masamine: Designated in 1981.
Osumi Toshihira: Designated in 1997.
Amata Akitsugu: Designated in 1997.

The person who commissioned this sword was Mr. Kunio Kanzawa, Honorary Chairman of Kissei Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., a highly accomplished and respected businessman.

Historical Background: February 1959 was a significant month in Japan’s postwar reconstruction and economic growth.
Major infrastructure initiatives advanced during this period, including the Cabinet’s approval of the Second Five-Year Road Development Plan and the opening of the Kurobe Tunnel.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token.

AoiArt estimation paper: Whole Oshigata.

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