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Katana signed Izumi-no-kami KUNISADA with) Blue pearl of inlay scabbard Uchikatana koshirae

Shinto Early Edo period (Kanei era/about 390 years ago) Settsu
Length of cutting edge63.0cm Curvature1.2cm Width of base31.2mm Thickness of base6.2mm Width of Yokote19.0mm

NBTHK(Tokubetsu Hozon) certificate

with) Blue pearl of inlay scabbard Uchikatana koshirae

Blade construction (kengyo) : Shinogi-zuruki, Iori-mune. Width of base is wide, less curvature standing firmly leading to an extended middle Kissaki. (click HERE for high resolution of the blade photograph)
Forging pattern (kitae hada) : Kitae hada is fine Itame which is bright and vivid. The entire hiraji is moistened by fine, uniform ji-nie (hard metal granules) over the surface of the blade and is beautifully active with chikei scene (darkish thick nie lines).
Tempering pattern (hamon) : Hamon is fine Nie base, where Habuchi is covered in uniform sparkling Nie deeply, starting with long Kyo-style Yakidashi, shallow wavy and Gunome/clove outline mixing with Togari-ha. In the interior of temper, Nioi-mist glows deeply, active with sparkling Nie-feet and thick Nie lines of Sunagashi/Kinsen( bright curved threadlike areas) working across the feet.
Temper of tip (boshi) : Boshi forms regular small circle turns back deeply.
Tang (Nakago) : Nakago is UBU original. O-sujikai(greatly slanting left) filemarks. Kurijiri round heel shape. One Mekugi-ana peg hole.
The signature in Hakiomote is located on the Shinogi-ji side, five large character starting with an official district title Izumi-no-kami 和泉守 and smith name KUNISADA 国貞.
The first generation KUNIASDA 国貞 was born in Tensho 18 (1590), in the province of Obi, Nisshu domain, Kyushu, as the first son of the chief priest at a Buddhist temple SAIKYOJI 西教寺. Family name is INOUE 井上, initial given name RYOKEI 良慶. Although he supposed to be a Buddhist priest but came up to Kyoto out of a single-minded desire to become a sword maker when he was around 20 years old. He learned from great master Horikawa KUNIHIRO 堀川国広 from the same village. When master KUNIHIRO 国広 passed away in Kencho 19 (1614), he was still 25 years old, then continued to train himself for sword making under a leading disciple Echigo-no-kami KUNITOMO 越後守国儔.
On about Genna 6 (1620), he had moved to Settsu in Osaka along with a colleague kawachi-no-kami KUNISUKE 河内守国助 to establish the Osaka-Shinto lineage, renowned for one of the founders in Osaka. He enjoyed Izumi-no-kami 和泉守 title in the 12th day, the 9th month, Genna 9 (1623) when he was 34 years old. He refined and sublimated the style of KUNIHIRO into the art of splendid Osaka shinto style.
He entered the priesthood in his later years to named himself DOWA 道和. On after the date 8th month, Shouho2, (1645), his works changed the way of his signature into the fully cursive style of writing. it is said that due to having a weak constitution, considerable number of works were under ghostmaking, signed by the 2nd generation KUNISADA who later changed to Inoue Shinkai 井上真改.
He passed away in the 5th day, the 5th month, Keian 5 (1652), was 63 years old.
This katana is judged to be made in his early years on after 1623 to hold a typical aggressive keicho-shinto style, wide in Mihaba, stubby and durable construction which was designed for battle of military spirits, unlike gorgeous and elegant works in the later period.
The blue pearl of inlay scabbard Uchikatana koshirae consists of : (click HERE for high resolution and HERE for entire Koshirae)
Tsuba : Heron/paddle in marsh overgrown with reeds, Yamagane copper, stone surface, silver, Shakudo and copper inlay
Fuchi/Kashira : Cloves motif, Shakudo Nanako-ji surface gold inlay
Menuki : Bush warbler/flowers motif, copper ground, gold plated
Lower shell shakudo/upper shell gold foiled double layer Habaki collar, preserved in Shira-saya plain wood mounting
Recent polish/Condition scale: excellent - very good (using a scale of mint-excellent-very good-good-fair-poor).
reference : Honma Junji, Sato Kanichi Nihonto Taikan Shinto-hen #1 Otsuka kogeisha 1966