AS25353 Katana： Yasushige An auspicious day in May, Showa 18 (1943). (NBTHK Hozon Token)

Ordering Number: AS25353

Katana in Koshirae (NBTHK Hozon Token)

Signature: Yasushige
An auspicious day in May, Showa 18 (1943).
靖繁
昭和十八年五月吉日

(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku).
This blade is ranked as Jyo Saku among the works of Yasushige.
Habaki: Single copper habaki.
Blade Length: 68.5 cm (26.97 in).
Curvature: 1.5 cm (0.59 in).
Mekugi Hole: 1.
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.1 cm (1.22 in).
Width at Yokote: 2.2 cm (0.87 in).
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.75 cm (0.30 in).
Sword Weight: 700 g.
Era: May, Showa 18 (1943).
Shape: A katana with a wide mihaba and an elongated kissaki. Approximately 3 cm of the original cutting edge remains.
Jigane: Well-forged ko-itame hada, producing a refined, almost featureless (muji-like) jigane.
Hamon: Nie-deki suguha. The boshi turns back in a rounded form.

Features: Yasushige, whose real name was Abe Shigeo, was born in Yamagata Prefecture. He initially worked as the chief assistant to Yasumitsu, and on October 4, 1939, he was granted the smith name Yasushige. He received the President’s Award at the Imperial Japanese Army Sword Exhibition and forged numerous presentation swords as well as swords for military officers. Yasukuni swords were produced with the objective of creating blades of the highest quality and were forged within the grounds of Yasukuni Shrine. Yasushige consistently produced blades in suguha, and examples in other styles are not known.
Koshirae: Imperial Japanese Army military mounting (Rikugun Guntō Koshirae).

Aoi Art’s Comment: Before World War II, the Imperial Japanese Army assembled a select group of swordsmiths to produce blades of the highest standard. The polishing process was equally rigorous, and blades that failed to meet the required quality were reportedly rejected. Swords forged within the grounds of Yasukuni Shrine were carefully selected and crafted, and they continue to be highly regarded today.

NBTHK Hozon Token.
AoiArt estimation paper: Whole Oshigata.

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