O95647(W5020)
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Wakizashi signed YOSHISUKE

Shinto Early Edo period (kan'ei era/circa 1624-) Suruga
Length of cutting edge 49.4cm Curvature 1.2cm Width of base 32.9mm Width of Yokote 24.3mm Thickness of base 7.0mm

NBTHK(Hozon) certificate

 

Blade construction: Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune. Mihaba on base is wide and less degree of tapering from base to point holding a bit on waist pointed curvature leading to a bit on large side point of Kissaki. The blade is heroically made and solidly heavy on hands. (click HERE for higher resolution image of the entire blade).
Forging(Hada): Steel Forging is typical Itame-hada and flowing indication appears mostly along quenching boundary line. Entire forging ware is conspicuously perceived against sparkling Ji-nie granule on surface. Thick lines of Nie so called "CHIKEI" activity appears from fine steel.
Temper(Hamon): Hamon is Nie, a bit on strong hard metal granules based, starts with short Yakidashi, large Gunome of round heads appear uniform in ranges, upper the blade stronger the Nie granules where irregular boundary line such as small Gunome, box-like shape or Togari-ha with "Tobiyaki" overflowed temper appears. The quenching activities such as floating "YOU" and "Sunagashi" long lines of Nie streams and thick lines of Mile "Kinsen" appear in the interior of temper where is filled with mist-like crystallize area deeply. The entire quenching effect shows full of variety that comes from "Nie" hard metal granule activities.
Temper of tip(Boshi): Temper of boshi forms irregular with "Ni-ju-ha" double temper activity and "Hakikake" sweeping up indication.
Tang(Nakago): The tang is "Funa-gata" ship-bottom shape, a bit curved, UBU original with horizontal (Kiri) filemarks. Back ridge is well-rounded contour with slanting left filemarks. Uneven U-shaped heel shape. One Mekugiana peg hole.The inscription on Shinogi-ji is two large character YOSHISUKE 義助.

Shimada 島田 school in Suruga domain along Ōigawa river 大井川, the founder YOSHISUKE 義助 was active in the Kousho era (1455-) middle of 15th century and the other relative makers such as SUKEMUNE 助宗, HIROSUKE 広助, YOSHITSUNA 義綱, MOTOSUKE 元助 appeared in generations during Muromachi period. Suruga domain in those days, powerful regional warlords of Imagawa 今川, Takeda 武田, Tokugawa 徳川 struggled with each other. Those sword smiths in Shimada 島田 school often had made symbolic sign of swords or Yaris to meet with requirements from those powerful warlords.
The 5th gen. YOSHISUKE 義助 who is recognized as the restorer of Shinto period had rebuilt his studio moved to Motoshimada town 元島田 on after serious floods of Ōigawa river 大井川 in Keicho 9 (1604) and had succeeded in this town till 9th generation until Kyoho era (1716-35).
This heroic wakizashi is appraised as a work of 6th gen. YOSHISUKE 義助 from Kanei era (1624-), real name is Seibei 清兵衛、Buddhist name after retirement is Keikan 慶関. Passed away in the 4th month, Shou'ou 3 (1654).
Ship bottom or Fish belly shape of Nakago was popular, frequently seen in Ise-Senko 伊勢千子、Suruga-Shimada 駿河島田、Soushu-Tsunahiro 相州綱広、Bushu-Shitahara 武州下原 schools to understand that frequent cultural exchange became very active along Tōkaidō (region).
Gold foiled double layers Habaki collar, preserved in a Shira-saya plain wood mounting.
This wakizashi reminds of traditional Soushu technique in Koto period and has close resembles Sue-soushu works from Muromachi period.
reference data :
Hon'ma Kunzan/Ishii Masakukni, Nihonto Meikan, Yuzankaku, 1975
Hon'ma Junji/Sato Kan'ichi, Nihonto Taikan (Koto edition 3), 1969