AS20365 Katana: Chikuzen Kuni Minamoto Nobukuni Heijiro Yoshinao Saku

Ordering number : AS20365

Katana in Shirasaya with Koshirae.(NBTHK Hozon Token)

Signature : Chikuzen Kuni Minamoto Nobukuni Heijiro Yoshinao Saku

(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo saku, Jyojyo saku Jyo saku and regular
saku)
This sword belongs to Jyo saku ranking.
The blade was polished.
Habaki : Copper single habaki.
Blade length : 74.0cm or 29.1339 inches.
Sori :1.4 cm or 0.55 inches.
Mekugi : 2
Width at the hamachi : 2.9cm or 1.142 inches.
Width at the Kissaki : 2.0 cm or 0.79 inches.
Kasane : 0.7 cm or 0.28 inches.
The weight of the sword 715 grams.
Era : Late Edo period Ansei(1855-1860)
Shape :The blade is regular width thickness with suitable sori and longer
kissaki. On the front side, Kenmaki ryu is engraved and on the back
side,Put a carving in the middle part of the Shionogi area.
Kenmaki ryu(a dragon is swallowing a Ken and twisting a body around Ken.)
Jigane :Koitame hada well grained with jibe attach very clear Jigane.
Hamon :Niedeki gunome midare from the hamachi to kissaki are.
In Hamon, ash work and sunagashi, kinsuji.
Bo-shi is Ichimai style deep nioikuchi.

Special feature:He died in the 6th year of the Meiji era under the name of　Chobei. Probably He immitasted Ikkanshi
Tadatsuna which is　extremely well grained Jigane and Hamon.

Koshirae :
Saya :Thae saga was mede by imitated of cherry tree’s plant.
Fuchikashira, Kojiro:On the brass, some design engraved.
Tsuba :On the brass plate, some design engraved.
Menuki :　Cane is engraved with gold and silver color.

From Aoi Art : He may have been active as a swordsmith for a long
time, but eventually it became the Meiji era and was abolished by the
sword decree.
It is probable that the production work was abandoned. It is thought
that this work was made by imitating Ikkanshi Tadatsuna in Edo period high
ranking sword smith. What impresses me is the goodness of the Jigane, sunagashi are well-ordered,
the legs(ashi) work well, sunagashi, kinsuji well work vividly.
Koshirae is issaku Koshirae(all matching Ko-dogu)
The Koshirae is nice Handachi koshirae which was imitated Cherry tree’s trunk.
This sword is an excellent workmanship. I highly recommend it.

NBTHK Hozon Token
Aoi Art estimation paper: whole Oshigata