AS21580-Katana: Mito Ju Katsumura Norikatsu Saku Kore

Katana in Shirasaya(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)(Consignment Sale)

Signature :　Mito Ju Katsumura Norikatsu Saku Kore
Meiji 4Nen 2 Gatsu　Hi
水戸住勝村徳勝作之

(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo saku, Jyo-jyo saku Jyo saku and regular saku)
This sword belongs to Jyo Jyo saku ranking.
The blade was polished.
Habaki :Silver single habaki.
Blade length :71.2cm or 28.03inches.
Sori : 1.0cm or 0.39inches.
Mekugi:1
Width at the hamachi:3.21cm or 1.26inches.
Width at the Kissaki:2.39cm or 0.94inches.
Kasane:0.73cm or 0.28inches
The weight of the sword:835g
Era: Meiji 4(1872)
Shape: The blade is broad and thick, Ububa is left,
2 lined Hi is engraved on both sides,
has a slightly shallow Sori and longer Kissaki. Steady good blade.
Jigane: Masame-hada well grained, Jinie attached, Chikei appears along Masame lines.
Hamon: Niedeki Suguha, mixed with Gunome-mdiare, Niju-ba comes in, Ashi works well, Boshi is round and has Kinsuji, turns back with Komaru.

Special feature: This work was made by the 2nd generation of Mito Ju Katsumura Norikatsu, and he made Masame-hada as well as the 1st. He was a son of Norikatsu the 1st, born as Hikotaro. He started making swords from Meiji 2 and we cannot find the items made after Meiji 4.(the year of Haito Edict)

From Aoi Art: Masame-deki is very hard to make, it is normal that it has partially Itame-hada. Thus, there were fewer swordsmiths to make Masame, as famous smiths we have Sendai Kunikane, Mito Ju Katsumura Norikatsu, Gassan Sadakatsu, Sadakatsu and Kiyondo. It is really disappointing that he quit making swords after Haito Edict. Perhaps this work was the last sword he had made, that is why it is really elaborately produced and it has 2 lined Hi on both side. It is well-made beautiful Masame work, which we can truly recommend for you. Mito Samurai and smiths who fought Meiji government, we can feel their emotions from this work. It is extremely rare that we can find the item made in Meiji 4 among Shinshinto.

NBTHKTokubetsu Hozon Token
Aoi Art estimation paper: whole Oshigata.