AS21096 Katana: Echizen Kami Sukehiro(2nd generation)(NBTHK Hozon Token)

Katana in Shirasaya with Koshirae.(NBTHK Hozon Token)

Signature: Echizen Kami Sukehiro (2nd generation) 越前守助広　

(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo saku, Jyo-jyo saku Jyo saku, and regular saku)
Fujishiro To-ko Jiten:Shinto: Saijyo saku: Oowazamono* Settsu
This sword belongs to the Jyo Jyo Saku ranking.
The blade was polished.
Habaki: Gold foiled double habaki.
Blade length: 75.2 cm or 29.60 inches.
Sori: 1.8cm or 0.70 inches.
Mekugi: 1
Width at the hamachi: 2.9cm or 1.14 inches.
Width at the Kissaki: 1.92 cm or 0.75 inches.
Kasane: 0.61 cm or 0.24 inches.
The weight of the sword 625 grams.
Era: Edo period around Enpo era.
Shape: Regular width and thickness Katana with moderate Sori.
Jigane: Ko Itame Hada well grained with Jinie attach. The Jigane is clear.
Hamon : Nie Deki, Gunome Midare with deep Nioikuchi. and Doranba Hamon. Boshi is round shape with Kinsuji. In the Ha, thare are many Sunagashi and Kinsuji.

Special feature: The Second Sukehiro forged this katana. Both the First and the Second Sukehiros are ranked very important position among the Osaka-Shinto swordsmiths. The Second Sukehiro served Aoyama Inaba (No) Suke Muneyoshi who was the lord of Komoro Castle in Shinshu province. He was the Jodai of the Osaka Castle, a daimyo’s chief councilor in charge of his master’s castle since 1667. Sukehiro teh Sesond passed away in 1682. This sword was made at Kanbun 2nd age 26 years of age.

Koshirae :
Saya: Black Ishime Ji saya with Kizami.
Tsuba: Mokko shape Shakudo Tsuba, dragon and clouds are engraved with gold color.
Menuki: Shakudo, a dragon is engraved with gold color.
Fuchikashira: Shakudo Nanako, a dragon is engraved with gold color.

From Aoi Art:　Sukehiro was evaluated as a Saijo saku and Owazamono. This blade was made in Kanbun 2 Nen at the age of 26. The strained Doranba Hamon with thick Nioikuchi enables us to get a glimpse of later years Maru Tsuda. Consummate Doranba Hamon is a truly stunning piece, but a little uninteresting. So we think that the blades of the Kaku-Tsuda era are enthusiastic and interesting.
Anyway, the blade has O-Gunome Midare, bright Hamon, nice Jigane, and wonderful dragon’s Koshirae.
We would definitely recommend it.

NBTHK Hozon Token
Aoi Art estimation paper: whole Oshigata.