T62037(S8105)
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katana signed AOI crest YASUTSUGU Echizen-ni-oite kore-wo Tsukuru (Echizen 3rd generation)
with) Gold leaf chaff Makie lacquer work scabbard Uchikatana Koshirae

Shinto Early Edo period (kanbun era/circa 1661-) Echizen
Length of cutting edge 70.8cm Curvature 1.4cm Width of base 32.8mm Width of Yokote 22.4mm Thickness of base 7.3mm

NBTHK(Tokubetsu Hozon) certificate

with) Gold leaf chaff Makie lacquer work scabbard Uchikatana Koshirae

 

 

Blade construction : Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune. Wide in Minaha, thick in Kasane, holding a bit shallow in Sori with a bit on stronger degree of tapering from base to tip that ends in a medium Chu-kissaki. Bō-hi grooves which end in round above Habaki collar appear on both sides. Entire blade is at the Josun interpretations in a highly harmonious manner which was assumed to preferences in swrodsmanship for trusts rather than cuts that appeared with the Kanbun era (1661-73) referred to as Kanbun-shinto style 寛文新刀姿. (click HERE for higher resolution image)
Forging(Hada) : Jigane steel is a bit on bluish side. Hada is conspicuous Itame and small swirling grain marks of Mokume-hada appear on Hiraji side and Straight Masame appears on Shinogi-ji surface. Profuse martensite crystals Ji-nie appears against well refined bluish Jigane to generate black gleaming lines of Chikei all over the surface.
Temper(Hamon) : Hamon is a rather on stronger side martensite crystals Nie-based, starts with a small Gunome, wide undulating Notare with small head Gunome, smaller clove and minute irregular shape elements. Boundary line is abundant with prominent martensite crystals of Nie. Upper the blade, stronger the Nie crystals, deeper the Nioi-mist-like crystalline area and wider, brighter in the quenching effect where short lines of Nie Sunagashi and bright line of thread-like Kinsen sparkles. The entire blade shows traditional Soushu-den technique clearly and is very much influenced by SA works from Nanbokucho period.
Temper of tip(Boshi): It becomes the strongest Nie crystals, wider the temper to form gleaming long lines of intensive Sunagashi then medium circle turns back deeply.
Tang(Nakago) : UBU original. Yasurime is greatly slanting left Ō-sujikai. Back ridge of Nakago is falt with Ō-sujikai filemark. The heel shape is V-shape of Kengyo. The AOI crest 葵紋 carved at upper the Nakago in front and lower along Shinogi-suji there are 7 character of signature to read YASUTSUGU Echizen-ni-oite kore-wo Tsukuru 康継於越前作之.

Here is a prominent work by the exclusive sword artisan of the Tokugawa Shogunate - YASUTSUGU 康継, the third generation in Echizen province.
Echizen third YASUTSUGU 康継, real name Shiro'emon 四郎右衛門 later changed his name to Ichiemon 市左衛門. After the death of his eldest brother - second generation YASUTSUGU 康継 in Shouho 4 (1646), Shiro'emon 四郎右衛門 established YASUTSUGU 康継 lineage in home town Echizen province.
The Tokugawa Shogunate had bestowed AOI crest to YASUTUSU lineages both for Edo and Echizen like this example that resembles Horimono carving with decorative flavor.
As generally known this katana was exclusively made for high class Samurai of the Tokugawa Shogun vassals or Fudai-daimyo feudal lords and has been treasured by generations throughout peaceful Edo period. Therefore it is surprisingly in mint condition, massively heavy on hands and Nakago glows an excellent taste of patina for 350 years history.

Absolutely wonderful koshirae Gold leaf chaff Makie lacquer work scabbard Uchikatana fitting consists of :
(click HERE for entire koshirae/HERE for each fitting)
  • Fuchi/Kashira : Shellfish design, Shakudo ground, Ishime-ji surface,polished rim, Takabori carving Iroe inlay, signed EISEI(seal) 英精(花押)
  • Menuki : Triple scallops design, copper ground, Yobori, Iroe
  • Tsuba : A waterwheel design, Iron ground, Round rectangular shape, Openwork, Nikubori/Kebori carving, signed Echizen-ju KINAI-saku 越前住 記内作
  • Hilt : White layskin, Hoso-Ito fine silk thread Jyabara-style lozenge wrap
Silver ground habaki in two pieces (one for Shirasaya and the other for Koshirae fitting), preserved in Shira-saya plain wood mounting with Sayagaki written by Dr. Kanzan in 1972.
Excellent polish/Condition scale: mint (using a scale of mint-excellent-very good-good-fair-poor)
reference data :Honma Junji/Sato Kan'ichi, Nihonto Taikan, Otsuka kougeisha, 1966