AS22037 Katana:Yamashiro Kami Fujiwara Kunikane(2nd generation) (NBTHK the 27th Juyo Token)

Ordering number: AS22037
Katana in Shirasaya with Koshirae(NBTHK the 27th Juyo Token)

Signature :　Yamashiro Kami Fujiwara Kunikane(2nd generation)
山城守藤原国包（二代）

Shinto: Jyo-jyo saku: Ryo Wazamono: Rikuzen
(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo saku, Jyo-jyo saku, Jyo saku, and regular saku)
This sword belongs to Saijyo saku ranking.
The blade was polished.
Habaki:　Gold foiled double habaki.
Blade length:70.4cm or 27.7inches.
Sori:1.6 cm or 0.62inches.
Mekugi:1
Width at the hamachi:3.1 cm or 1.22inches.
Width at the Kissaki:2.31 cm or 0.90inches.
Kasane:0.6cm or 0.23inches.
The weight of the sword:865grams.
Era: The Kanbun era, the Edo period(right after the succession)
Shape: The blade is broad and slightly thick with deep Sori and slightly longer Kissaki.
Jigane: Masamehada is grained well with Jinie. Well and fine Masamehada.
Shinogiji: Masamehada works well.
Hamon: Niedeki, thick Suguha with deep Nioikuchi with active Koashi. Boshi becomes Hakikake while turning round.

Special Feature: Kunikane the 2nd was originally named Hongo Yoshizaemon, and said to succeed to his father in Shoho2. On the 12th of November, Kanbun 7, he had succeeded to Yamashiro Kami and passed away at the age of 61 on the 2nd of July, Kanbun 12. His works are Masame-deki and look like old works like Hosho-school.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: Round shaped iron Tsuba. Wood is engraved with colors.
Fuchikashira: Shakudo-Nanako plate. Rice plants are engraved with gold color.
Saya: Aogai-Chirashi
Menuki: On Shakudo plate, horse is engraved.
Kojiri: Shakudo plate is engraved like Toppei works.

From Aoi Art: Kunikane was said to be master of Masamedeki, and his skills had influenced Tohoku region a lot. Tonkatsu, Kiyondo, and Hokke Saburo Nobufusa or other smiths in or near Mito were influenced by him. Masamedeki is really hard to produce, and besides, it is truly hard to make thick Suguha with deep Nioikuchi. This work shows how skillful he was. As exceptions, Gassan Sadakazu or Sadakatsu had made a lot of challenge to make this types of swords.

NBTHK the 27th Juyo Token paper
Aoi Art estimation paper: whole Oshigata by Ayaka Tsuruta