AS26398 Katana ：Bizen no Kuni (remaining portion only) (Shintō Sukesada)(NBTHK Hozon Token)

Ordering Number: AS26398

Katana in Shirasaya with Shikomizue (NBTHK Hozon Token)

Signature: Bizen no Kuni (remaining portion only) (Shintō Sukesada)
備前國(以下切)(新刀祐定)

(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 Shintō Sukesada.
Habaki: Silver single and Gold foiled single.
Blade Length: 64.0 cm (25.20 in).
Curvature: 1.2 cm (0.47 in).
Mekugi Hole: 4.
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.92 cm (1.15 in).
Width at Yokote: 1.92 cm (0.76 in).
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.72 cm (0.28 in).
Sword Weight: 715 g.
Era: Around the Kanbun era (1661–1673), Edo period.
Shape: Although the blade has been suriage with the machi moved (machi-okuri), part of the original signature, “Bizen no Kuni,” remains.
Jigane: Well-forged ko-itame hada producing a refined and tightly forged jigane.
Hamon: Nie-deki gunome-midare. The hamon is full of variation, and the boshi is irregular, returning in a rounded form.

Features: Blades mounted in shikomizue are generally expected to have little or no curvature, but this Sukesada blade retains a noticeable sori. The shikomizue itself is made of bamboo with a reddish-brown finish and is exceptionally well crafted. Inside the bamboo is a nested inner scabbard (irikozaya), and the mounting is thought to date from the late Edo to Meiji period. The blade is in sound condition and has been professionally polished. This is a highly recommended example.
Koshirae:
Shikomizue: Bamboo cane mounting with a nested inner scabbard (irikozaya).

Aoi Art’s Comment: After the war, a law prohibiting the private possession of Japanese swords was enacted. As a result, some people concealed their swords inside shikomizue so that they would not be discovered. It was a time when many lived under extremely difficult circumstances. Countless swordsmiths could no longer continue their craft and were forced to seek other occupations. Their efforts to adapt to these changes must have been considerable. The existence of a period when swords were preserved hidden inside shikomizue is an important part of Japanese sword history and deserves to be remembered.

NBTHK Hozon Token.
AoiArt estimation paper: Whole Oshigata.

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