Katana singed Choshu-ju Minamoto MASAUJI-saku (gold inlay) OMOKAGE Auspicious day in the Second month, Thirteenth year of Kyouho with)Blue Pearl Pearskin's lacquered scabbard Dragon Uchigatana Koshiae
Shinto Middle of Edo Period (Thirteenth year of Kyouho/A.D.1728) Nagato
Length of cutting edge70.0cm Curvature1.2cm Width of base31.6mm Thickness of base7.0mm Width of Yokote23.5mm
Reported in the book of [Bou-cho Touko Oshigata-shu] issued by NBTHK
NBTHK(Tokubetsu Hozon) certificate
with)Blue Pearl Pearskin's lacquered scabbard Dragon Uchigatana Koshiae
Sugata(configuration) : Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune. Mihaba is wide, ordinary curve well balanced leading to an extended tip. There are wide and deep Bo-hi grooves on both sides that chiseled away on the tang.(click HERE for higher resolution)
Kitae(forging pattern) : Kitae is well-kneaded large Mokume hada (burl grain mark) like pine bark mark so called NORISHIGE style forging method. Ji-nie sparkling glitter spreads over hiraji which is vividly bright, that generates Chikei darkish hard metal granules grows from the depth of steel. Impressively grand sight of steel.
Boshi (tip): The temper of tip is irregularly blushing out (Hakikake) indication.
Nakago(tang) : Unaltered (UBU) and one original peg retaining hole. Filemark is Osujikai (greatly slanting left). The signature in hakiomite starts with the place of work Choshu-ju, family clan Minamoto and smith name MASAUJI-saku and gold inlay OMOKAGE that means a reminder of speciality Tachi OMOKAGE of the great master Rai Kuniyuki that had burned down in the Tottori castle fire.
And the reversed side is chiseled the date of year Auspicious day in the Second month, Thirteenth year of Kyouho (1728).
Smith MASAUJI, real name Rokubei, who belonged to Edo Ishodo school, had worked for the feudal lord Mouri with his younger brother, Shichibei (smith name is MASAMORI). He come to Nagato province (now in Hagi city, Yamaguchi pref.) to serve for Nagato clan. It's gold Inlay OMOKAGE was made proudly to recall the fine article of the name OMOKAGE by the frontier Raikuniyuki which had been transmitted by the celebrated generals since Kamakura 13th period. This is surely one of his best article swords that accompanies an excellent Blue pearl pearskin's lacquered scabbard Dragon Uchigatana Koshirae that consists of the full set crawling Dragon Shakudo copper alloy Fuchi/Kashira, Tsuba and Menuki, gold Iroe inlay. Gold Iroe plated double layer habaki collar, accompanies Shira-Saya plain wood mounting.
