AS26466 Katana: Forged by Kurihara Akihide at the foot of Mount Sōbu. An auspicious day in February, Showa 20 (1945). (NBTHK Hozon Token)

Ordering Number: AS26466

Katana in Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Hozon Token)

Signature: Forged by Kurihara Akihide at the foot of Mount Sōbu.
An auspicious day in February, Showa 20 (1945).
於相武台下栗原昭秀作之
昭和二十年二月吉日

(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku).
This blade is ranked as Jyojyo Saku among the works of Kurihara Akihide.

Habaki: Single solid silver habaki.
Blade Length: 62.0 cm (24.41 in).
Curvature: 1.3 cm (0.51 in).
Mekugi Hole: 1.
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.15 cm (1.24 in).
Width at Yokote: 2.40 cm (0.94 in).
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.70 cm (0.28 in).
Sword Weight: 730 g.
Era: February, Showa 20 (1945)
Shape: A well-proportioned blade with standard mihaba, slightly deep curvature, and a relatively long kissaki. The original cutting edge remains in excellent condition.
Jigane: Well-forged ko-itame hada producing a beautiful and refined jigane.
Hamon: Ko-nie-deki chōji-midare. The boshi turns back in a rounded form.

Features: Kurihara Akihide was born in Tochigi Prefecture on March 25, 1879 (Meiji 12). He was a disciple of Horii Taneaki, and his real name was Kurihara Hikosaburō, who also served as a member of the House of Representatives. In 1933 (Showa 8), he established the Japanese Sword Training Institute at his residence in Akasaka, Tokyo, where he studied sword forging under Kasama Shigetsugu. He passed away on May 5, 1954, and is remembered as one of the leading contributors to the modern Japanese sword community.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: Round iron tsuba with openwork carvings of a gunbai (war fan) and a jewel motif.
Menuki: Carp motif (modern).
Fuchikashira: Wave motif (modern).
Saya (Scabbard): Black roiro-lacquered saya.

Historical Background: On August 15, 1945, Emperor Shōwa announced Japan’s acceptance of the Potsdam Declaration by radio broadcast (the Gyokuon-hōsō), informing the nation of the end of the war. This date is generally recognized as the day on which World War II ended for Japan.

NBTHK Hozon Token.
AoiArt estimation paper: Whole Oshigata.

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