AS25730 Wakizashi: Ecchu no Kami Fujiwara Masatoshi (January 1615) (the 31th Juyo Token)

Ordering number:AS25730

Wakizashi ：in Shirasaya with Koshirae (31th　Juyo Session)

Signature: Ecchu no Kami Fujiwara Masatoshi
A lucky day in January, 1615 (NBTHK Juyo Token)

We classify swords into Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku, and Regular Saku based on the swordsmith’s skill.

Among the works of Ecchu no Kami Fujiwara Masatoshi, this piece is ranked as Saijyo Saku.

Habaki: Gold-plated double habaki
Blade Length: 57.10 cm (22.48 in)
Curvature (Sori): 1.3 cm (0.51 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.21 cm (1.26 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 2.41 cm (0.95 in)
Thickness (Kasane): 0.64 cm (0.25 in)
Blade Weight: 610 grams (g)
Era: Edo period, a lucky day in January, Keicho 20 (1615).

Shape:
The blade has a wide mihaba, a solid kasane, and a long boshi, making it a work of excellent proportions.

Jigane:
Chikei appears in the ko-itame hada, resulting in a fine and refined jigane.

Hamon:
A nie-deki suguha hamon with a deep nioikuchi, and the boshi turns back with a pointed temper line.

Features:
This work was made on a lucky day in January of Keicho 20, crafted with special feeling for the auspicious New Year’s day. It also bears a dated inscription.

Dated inscriptions from the Keicho era are extremely rare, and moreover this one is dated to a lucky day in the New Year.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: A mokko-shaped shakudo-nanako ground depicting Ushiwakamaru, Benkei, and other figures rendered gorgeously in gold.
Fuchikashira: A gold nanako ground depicting birds and plum blossoms in the style of Ishiguro Masatsune.
Saya: Black ro-iro (glossy lacquer) saya.
Menuki: A shakudo-nanako ground with a family crest rendered in gold.

Historical Background:
April–May of 1615 (Keicho 20). The Toyotomi and Tokugawa clans faced one another once again at Osaka. Unlike the earlier “Winter Campaign,” however, the situation was one of overwhelming Tokugawa superiority. For the soldiers of the Toyotomi army, it therefore became a battle fought with the resolve to die honorably. Toyotomi commanders such as Sanada Yukimura (Sanada Nobushige) made desperate charges, but their small numbers could not prevail against the enemy’s superior force. Defeated in battle, the main Toyotomi house was destroyed, and a long-lasting, stable regime with the Tokugawa clan at its apex began in earnest.

Aoi Art’s estimation paper.
Whole Oshigata
31th　Juyo certificatex

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