A47988(W2748)
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Wakizashi signed Echizen-ju Shimosaka KUNITSUGU

Shinto Early Edo period (kan'ei era/circa 1624-43) Echizen
Length of cutting edge 51.6 cm Curvature 1.3 cm Width of Base 30.7 mm Width of Yokote 21.2 mm Thickness of base 6.3 mm

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Blade construction (kengyo) : Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune, long Wakizashi. Thickness of Kasane is in average, wide on base standing firmly on base holding less degree of tapering from base to an extended point of Kissaki with appropriate curve. The entire blade is full of heroic and powerful impression which was spread during kanei period. (click HERE for high resolution of the blade photograph)
Forging pattern (kitae hada) : Kitae hada is Itame mark forged into powerful steel mixing with Mokume-hara ware. The entire hiraji is sparkling vividly activated with crystallized ji-nie hard metal granules activity.
Tempering pattern (hamon) : Hamon is fine crystallized, tight Nie based Choji, Gunome with composite of slanting indication or box-shape and some Togari sharpened up, which is lively flamboyant. The interior of temper is filled with mist-like area and feet of "Ashi", floating dots of "You" and long lines of Nie of "Sunagashi"are perceived in it.
Temper of tip (boshi) : Boshi forms wide straight outline which is minute fluctuating with short lines of Nie activity then regularly medium circle turns back deeply.
Tang (Nakago) : Nakago is UBU original. Katte-sagari (slanting left) filemarks. Kengyo (V-shape) heel shape. Back ridge is flat with slanting left filemark. One Mekugi-ana peg hole.
The inscription in front is chiselled on Shinogi-suji ridge, starts with the place of work Echizen-ju 越前住 then name of hometown Shimosaka 下坂 and the smith name KUNITSUGU 國継.

Smith KUNITSUGU 國継　belonged to Shimosaka 下坂 school in Echizen province (now Fukui pref.), who was active in Kan'ei era (1624-43). It is understood that there were a few generations during the first half of Edo period and the descendant in the later generation settled in Kyoto in Shotoku 2 (1712).
Shimosaka school was made up of the leader - famed for the top rated smith Yasutsugu 康継 and the other makers such as Kanesaki 兼先, Sadakuni 貞国, Sadatsugu 貞次, Sadashige 貞重, Tsugusada 継貞, Tsuguhira 継平 or Tsuguhiro 継廣.
The subject maker NUNITSUGU 國継 was also one of the main members belonging to Yasutsugu family and helped manufacturing for the increasing demand from his master. It is supposed that he had been devoting most of his smith-life for his master Yasutsugu therefore his posthumous works with his own inscription is relatively rare to find.
The subject wakizashi, in view of stirring shape, shows the typical vogue from Kan'ei era of early stage Edo period. Forged fine steel emits darkish blue impression which is essential characteristic in Hokuriku northern region of Japan Sea side. In view of tempering technique, tight-Nioi based quenching pattern and also Muneyaki (temper on back ridge), both features were greatly influenced by Echizen-Mino school technique. The nakago is similar both in shape and file-mark to ones of Yasutsugu 康継.
There are nicks of grain-opening ware in front side - two points on the middle of Shinogi-ridge, one on Yokote-ridge and one on Hiraji underneath Habaki. These nicks were well-eliminated by previous skilled polish. This is an good example of heroic sword which was possessed by a brave Samurai with warlike spirit in Early Edo period.
Old good polish/Condition scale: very good (using a scale of mint-excellent-very good-good-fair-poor).
Silver foiled double layer copper Habaki collar, preserved in a plain wood Shira-saya mounting.
reference data:
Ishii Masakuni/Honma Junji, Nihonto-Meikan, Yuzankaku, 1975