A32990(S7581)
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Katana signed YOSHINARI (Kōzuke-no-kami YOSHIKUNI) with)Black lacquered scabbard Uchigatana koshirae

Shinto Early of Edo period (Manji era/circa1658) Settsu/Tosa
Length of cutting edge71.4cm Curvature1.5cm Width of base33.2mm Thickness of base7.0mm Width of Yokote22.1mm

NBTHK(HOZON) certificate

with)Black lacquered scabbard Uchigatana koshirae

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Blade construction: Shinogi-zukuri Iori-mune katana. There is moderate curve and wide in Mihaba leading to an extended tip. There still remains an original "round mark" at the cutting edge on base (so called Ubu-ha), rich volume in Hiraniku and massively heavy in hands. The entire blade is impressively healthy over the passage of 350 years.(click HERE for higher resolution image of the entire blade)
Forging(Hada): Forging is fine and minute Ko-Itame hada and Hiraji is covered in sparkling Ji-nie granules glitter over the surface that generates precise Chikei-darkish Nie-lines.
Temper(Hamon): Hamon is fine Nie hard metal granules based, starting with long Yakidashi straight temper, Kobushi-Choji (Fist-clove) shape. Temper line varies in height, activated with sparkling Nie with clove-feet working toward the cutting edge. The interior of temper is filled in mist-like crystalline area. The entire temper is full of fresh and bright impression.
Temper of tip(Boshi): Boshi becomes calm below Yokote ridge, then straight small circle turns back.
Tang(Nakago): Nakago is in UBU original. One peg hole. O-Sujikai (greatly slanting left) filemarks. Back ridge of Nakago is flat and Single-bevelled heel shape. The signature in front is two large character that reads YOSHINARI 吉作.
Smith YOSHINARI 吉作, the same smith as Kōzuke-no-kami YOSHIKUNI 上野守吉国. His real name was Morishita Magobei 森下孫兵衛. He was born in Nakamura-town, Souma (now in Souma-city, Fukushima pref.) as a first son of smith Harima-no-kami YOSHINARI 播磨守吉成. Smith Mutsu-no-kami YOSHIYUKI 陸奥守吉行 was his younger brother.
Three of them had come to Fushimi Ryōgae town in Osaka and learned from Yamato-no-kami YOSHIMICHI 大和守吉道. Early Genroku (1688) era they again went to Kusaka-town, Tosa domain (now in Hidaka-town, Takaoka-gun, Kouchi pref.) working for the Yamanouchi feudal lord exclusively.
This Katana, as signed as YOSHINARI 吉作, is understood that the work during he learned from Yamato-no-kami YOSHIMICHI 大和守吉道 and shows a typical workmanship of Osaka shinto style and has close resembles to the works of his master.
Incidental Black lacquered scabbard Uchigatana koshirae consists of: (restored using authentic antique metal furniture)
White Rayskin dark blue cord lozenge wrap hilt.
Menuki : A pair of lion/lioness, shakudo Yobori, Gold inlaid Iroe.
Fuchi/ Kashira : Lions design Shakudo ground Takabori style carving.
Tsuba : Iron ground, Suhama-shape, Brass/Yamagane(copper) inlay, Silver inlaid Iroe.(size 92.0mmx91.6mm)
(click HERE for entire koshirae and HERE for images in detail)
Inome-openwork original gold foiled double copper habaki, preserved in a shira-saya plain wood mounting.
Recent polish/Condition scale: mint-excellent (using a scale of mint-excellent-very good-good-fair-poor)