AS21542-Wakizashi: Chikushu Ju Minamoto Nobukuni Shigekane

Wakizashi in Shirasaya with Koshirae.(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)
Signature: Chikushu Ju Minamoto Nobukuni Shigekane
筑州住源信国重包　

(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo saku, Jyo-jyo saku Jyo saku and regular saku)
shinto:Jyo saku:Wazamono: Chikuzen.
This sword belongs to Jyo Jyo Saku ranking.
The blade was polished.
Habaki :　Gold color double habaki.
Blade length: 54.7 cm or 21.53 inches.
Sori : 1.3cm or 0.51 inches.
Mekugi : 1
Width at the hamachi : 2.64 cm or 1.03 inches.
Width at the Kissaki: 2.31 cm or 0.90 inches.
Kasane : 0.64cm or 0.25 inches.
The weight of the sword 585 grams.
Era: Edo period around Kyoho era.
Shape: Wide and thick Wakizashi
Jigane: Itame Hada well grained with Jinie attach.
The Jigane is beautiful.
Hamon: Mizukage-Utsuri appears from Habaki and from Hamachi Nioikuchi gets slightly deeper. Suguha, and after that comes Choji-Midare mixed with Ko-Gunome-Midare, deep Nioikuchi, Sunagashi and small Kinsuji work in Hachu.
Boshi is Midarekomi and the tip turns back in a small circle.

Special feature: Chikuzen Nobukuni school in Shinto era prospered as the employed metal smith of the Kuroda family until Meiji 1. The representative of the school was Yoshisada. Shigekane, also known as Sukezaemon, was chosen to one of the sword smiths to make swords in Shibaama Goten(palace) with Ajiro and Masakiyo from Sasshu in Kyoho 6, and finally was allowed to use Ichiyo Aoi Mon(crest). Later he changed his name into Masakane and died in Kyoho 13 at the age of 56.

Koshirae:
Tsuba : Thick round shape iron Tsuba with openwork.
Fuchikashira;Shakudo-Nanako plate, dragon is engraved with gold color.
Saya: Kuromokume-patterns are painted.
Menuki : Shakudo, peony is engraved with gold color.
Kozuka: Copperplate, monk and child are engraved with gold color.

From Aoi Art: This is a nice work in really healthy condition, which was made by Chikushu Ju Minamoto Nobukuni Shigekane. The shape is great and Jigane looks like Hizento; Hamon has Gunome-Choji-Midare, and this work is supposed to have tried to copy works like Ichimonji.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token
Aoi Art estimation paper: whole Oshigata.