N071317(S2844)
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katana signed (AOI crest) YASUTSUGU Motte Nanbantetsu Bushu-Edo ni oite kore-wo Tsukuru (Edo 3rd generation) with) Black Ro-iro lacquered Itame-pattern Makie work scabbard Han-tachi styleKoshirae mount

Shinto Early Edo period (kanbun era/circa 1661-) Bushu
Length of cutting edge 70.6cm Curvature 1.8cm Width of base 32.8mm Thickness of base 7.1mm Width of Yokote 21.7mm

NBTHK(Tokubetsu Hozon) certificate

with) Black Ro-iro lacquered Itame-pattern Makie work scabbard Han-tachi style Koshirae mount

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Blade construction : Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune. Wide in Minaha, thick in Kasane, holding well-harmonized curvature in Sori with an appropriate degree of tapering from base to tip that ends in a medium Chu-kissaki. Bō-hi grooves which is chiselled half way underneath the Habaki collar on both sides. Entire blade is at the Jōsun 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 darkish bluish side. Hada is well-kneaded Itame and small swirling grain marks of Mokume-hada appear on Hiraji side and Straight Masame appears on Shinogi-ji surface. Sparkling martensite crystals Ji-nie appears against well refined bluish Jigane to generate black gleaming lines of Chikei over the Hiraji surface.
Temper(Hamon) : Hamon is a rather on stronger side martensite crystals Nie-based, starts with a gentle up-hill slope Yakidashi on base, wide undulating Notare with small head of Gunome. Boundary line glows with martensite crystals of Nie and deep in the Nioi-mist-like crystalline area where Gunome-feet of Nie splashes into the cutting edge, YOU dots appear and short lines of Nie-Sunagashi sparkles.
Tang(Nakago) : UBU original. Yasurime is greatly slanting left Ō-sujikai. Back ridge of Nakago is flat 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 6 charactar of signature to read YASUTSUGU Motte Nanbantetsu 康継以南蛮鉄 and the other side is chiselled a place of work Bushu-Edo ni-oite kore-wo Tsukuru　於武州江戸作之.

Here is a prominent work by the exclusive sword artisan of the Tokugawa Shogunate - YASUTSUGU 康継 the third generation in Bushu-Edo capital.
Edo the 3 rd YASUTSUGU 康継, real name Umenosuke 右馬助 later changed his name to Ichi-no-jo 市之丞. After the death of his father - second generation YASUTSUGU 康継 in Shouho 3 (1646), a legitimate son of Ichi-no-jo 市之丞 at the tender age of 16 established Edo YASUTSUGU 康継 family in capital Edo under the guardianship of his uncle 康意康継.
The Tokugawa Shogunate had bestowed AOI crest to YASUTUSU families 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 lord and came into vogue creating a sword to use an imported steel of those times called Nanbantetsu which was reportedly known as performing supreme sharp cutting result. This katana has been treasured by generations in peaceful Edo period impressively heavy on hands and Nakago glows an excellent taste of patina for 350 years history. The 3 rd Edo YASUTSUGU is comparatively not prolific as he died young at 48 years old in Enpo 4 (1676).

Splendid Han-tachi style koshirae mount consists of : (click HERE for entire koshirae in front / HERE for the other side /HERE for each fitting)
  • All metal fittings (kabuto-kane, Fuchi, Kuchikane, Kurikata, Seme-kanamono and Ishitsuki) of Karakusa-design, Shakudo ground, gold Koberi edge, Kebori carving, unsigned
  • Tsuba AOI style of Kiri-karakusa design, Shakudo ground, Sukibori carving, Gold-Iroe, Kiku-za large Seppa, unsigned
  • Menuki Shishi on incense burner design, Shakudo ground Yobori carving
  • Tsuka white layskin, red-black silk cord Tsunegumi-style lozenge wrap
Gold foiled Tachi-style habaki collar, preserved in Shira-saya plain wood mounting
Very Good polish/Condition scale: excellent (using a scale of mint-excellent-very good-good-fair-poor)
reference data :
Honma Junji/Sato Kan'ichi, Nihonto Taikan, Otsuka kougeisha, 1966