F28304(S2855)
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Katana signed Oumi-no-kami Takagi-ju SUKENAO with) Syokko pattern Black stone surface lacquered scabbard Uchikatana Koshirae

Shinto Early Edo period (on about Enpo 8/circa 1680) Settsu
Length of cutting edge 71.4cm Curvature 1.5cm Width of base 31.5mm Width of Yokote 21.6mm Thickness of base 7.5mm

NBTHK(Tokubetsu Hozon) cerficate for Katana

with) Syokko pattern Black stone surface lacquered scabbard Uchikatana Koshirae

NBTHK(Tokubetsu Hozon) certificate for Koshirae


Sugata(configuration) : Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune. Increasing artistic demand in Osaka the golden age - Mihaba is wide,rather on deeper side center point curve leading to an extended medium Kissaki. Thick in Kasane and a bit on higher side Shinogi-suji holding ample volume in Hiraniku. Massively heavy on hands with powerful impression but created in a well-harmonized shape that is called Osaka-shinto style. (click HERE for higher resolution)
Kitae(forging pattern) : Kitae-hada is fine and precisely kneaded Ko-itame hada with Ko-mokume indications whereas the swelling Masame hada pattern is perceived along shinogi-ji.Hiraji-surface is thickly covered in soaked sparkling Ji-nie. Darkish precise Chikei in different carbon content gushes forth in surface.
Hamon(tempering pattern) : Hamon is gentle undulating NOTARE in extremely deep in uniform super fine Nie and refreshing Nioi. Some Niju-ha, Hotsure fray appears and upper the Monouchi area shows small Gunome indication. Boundary area is refreshingly bright against super fine steel. In the interior of temper, there works with gentle short lines of Sunagashi and thick line of Kinsuji.From middle of back ridge downward the Mune end here and there, there appears some indication isolated temper "Muneyaki".
Boshi (tip): The temper of the tip is wide and strong in temper with an indication of Ni-ju-ha then medium circle in good manner and turn back deeply.
Nakago(tang) : Unaltered in UBU. One original peg retaining hole. Filemark is greatly slanting left (O-sujikai) with an unique decorative mark of "Kodutsumi-yasuri". The signature in front is eight thick chiselled character that starts with the official granted title Oumi-no-kami 近江守, place of birth Takagi-ju 高木住 and the smith name SUKENAO 助直.

SUKENAO 助直, an alias Magotayu 孫太夫, was born in Kanei 16 (1639) at Takagi,Oumi province (now Takagi, Yasu-city, Shiga-pref).
He apprenticed himself to the 1st.SUKEHIRO 助廣 atelier in Osaka with a 2 years older senior worker the 2nd.SUKEHIRO 助廣 to apply himself closely to catch up the leading technique in prosperous big city Osaka. He played an active part in ghosted work in place of SUKEHIRO 助廣 in his late in life.
In kanbun 3 (1663), master 1st. SUKEHIRO 助廣 passed away, junior SUKENAO 助直 became a younger sister's husband of senior 2nd. SUKEHIRO 助廣 to be a brother-in-law of TSUDA 津田 family.
He received an title of an official district Oumi-daijo 近江大掾 then switched to the upper class title Oumi-no-kami 近江守 on about Kanbun 9 (1669).
Ten'na 2 (1682), after meeting sudden death of 2nd.SUKEHIRO 助廣、SUKENAO 助直 prefixes the name of TSUDA 津田 to his inscription signature to announce that he became the head of the distinguished TSUDA school. Among recognized extant works with the date of year his works ranges from Kanbun 8(1668) to Genroku 6(1693) in 25 years - 30 to 55 years old in his age.

Here is an excellent article katana of above superior famed smith Tsuda Oumi-no-kami SUKENAO 津田近江守助直. From it's inscription feature, this is the work on about Enpo 8 (1680) when he was matured about 42 years old. The blade shape of this katana is sturdy with well-harmonized curved to show typical Osaka-style in vogue from Enpou to Genroku (1673-03).
Jigane is extremely fine Ko-Itame where covered with sparkling Nie of martensite crystals of the highest quality and precise darkish elements of Chikei appears all over the surface. Medium undulating Suguha generates exceedingly deeper in misty Nioi, extremely brighter the Nie where boundary line gives off splashing flash.

In view of Nakago, there performed with unique, decorative and complex filemark so called "Kodutsumi-yasuri" which was created by legitimate former TSUDA 津田 school.

Superb mount of Koshirae is a transmission from, once belonged to Ito clan in the Obi domain (now Nichinan-city, Miyazaki pref.)
with) Black Stone surface lacquered Shokko brocade pattern Uchikatana Koshirae NBTHK(Tokubetsu Hozon)
(click HERE for entire Koshirae in front and HERE for reversed side / click HERE for each fitting)
  • Identical metal fittings (Fuchi/Kashira,Koikuchi, Kurikata, Kojiri) : Shakudo ground, Gold Iroe bearing the crest of Ito-clan "Iori-Mokkou", unsigned
  • Menuki : a pair of fierce tiger, Shakudo ground Katabori carving, Gold Iroe
  • Tsuba : Thunderbolt design, Oborogin silver alloy ground, Polish surface, Both Hitsu-ana punches, Unsigned
  • Saya : Black Stone surface lacquered Shokko brocade pattern
  • Hilt : White rayskin, purple silk cord Moro-tsumami lozenge wrap
Gold foiled single layer copper Habaki collar, Preserved in a Shirasaya with Sayagaki written by a living National Treasure Hon'ami Ni'shu 本阿弥日洲 in 1983.
Recent polish/Condition scale: mint - excellent (using a scale of mint-excellent-very good-good-fair-poor)