AS21609 Katana:(Kikumon) Hojoji Echizen(Masateru) first generation

Ordering number: AS21609
Katana in Shirasaya with Koshirae.(NBTHK Hozon Token)

Signature: (Kikumon) Hojoji Echizen(Masateru) first generation
（菊紋)法城寺越(以下切)(越前正照)　　初代

AOI Bijyutasu Syosin Kanteisyo NBTHK Hozon Token
(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 foiled single habaki.
Blade length : 73 cm or 28.74 inches.
Sori :2.2 cm or 0.86 inches.
Mekugi : 2
Width at the hamachi :3.11 cm or 1.22 inches.
Width at the Kissaki : 2,26 cm or 0.88 inches.
Kasane : 0,66cm or 0.25 inches.
The weight of the sword 805 grams.
Era : Edo period around Kanbun era.
Shape : Machiokuri Katana, but signature remains “Kiku Mon Ho(Joji Echizen) Kami Masateru ”. The blade is wide and thick with deep Sori, longer Kissaki.
Jigane : Itame hada Hadadachi, well grained with Jinie attach.
The Jigane is beautiful. Ko Itame well grained with Jinie attach.
The Jigane is typical Edo Hojoji’s Jigane.
Shinogi-Ji: Ko Itame Hada and Ko Mokume Hada mixed with Masame.
Hamon : Nie Deki, Gunome Midare and Togari Gunome Midare with thick Nioikuchi. In the Ha, there are Ashi, Sunagashi and Kinsuji.
Boshi is round shape.

Special feature: Masatestu was a student of Hojoji Masahiro. Later he moved to Dewa Akita prefecture.　He follows the flow of Horikawa school. He is believed to have something to do with the Edo Hojoji school.

Koshirae :
Saya : Black Roiro Saya.
Tsuba :　Round shape iron Tsuba, some design is engraved.
The rim is covered with Shakudo.
Menuki : Copper plate, Dokko and Ken are engraved.
Fuchi：Shakudo, plant pattern is engraved.
Kashira: Shakudo plane.
Kojiri: Shakudo, Swil pattern is engraved.

From Aoi Art: This blade is quite good for the first generation Masateru. The Gunome Midare Hamon has thick Nioikuchi.
In the Ha, there are many Sunagashi and Kinsuji. The shape is wide, has deep Sori, and longer Kissaki. The Koshirae is also good.

NBTHK Hozon Token
Aoi Art estimation paper: whole Oshigata.