AF26066 Kogatana: Revere Heaven and Love Humanity, Masamine Saku

Ordering Number: AF26066

Kogatana: in Shirasaya: Revere Heaven and Love Humanity
Inscription: Masamine Sasku 正峯作 , Senju 仙寿

Overall length: 23cm (9.06in)
Blade length: 11.8cm x 1.3cm (4.65in x 0.51in)
Period: Modern times

Special feature:
This work is a miniature sword by Sumitani Masamine, a modern swordsmith designated as a Living National Treasure, with engraving by Yanagimura Senju, a disciple of Kokei Senju.
The inscription “Keiten Aijin” (敬天愛人, “Revere Heaven and Love Humanity”) was coined by Nakamura Masanao, a Meiji-period thinker, under the influence of Christian teachings. The phrase is also well known for having been favored by Saigo Takamori.

Rather than simply being a kogatana, this piece can be regarded as a true miniature sword. Every detail—from the hamon and engraving to the scabbard and habaki—has been carefully and skillfully crafted, making it a particularly rare and remarkable work.

Aoi Art estimation paper