A17429(S1281)
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Katana signed Owari-no-kuni Jūnin Nōdo Sasuke MASATSUNE kore-o-tsukuru

Shinto early Edo period (from Meireki era to Kanbun 2nd /1655-62) Owari
Length of cutting edge 69.4cm Curvature 1.7cm Width of base 33.7mm Width of Yokote 23.5mm Thicknerss of base 7.5mm


NBTHK(TokubetsuHozon) certificate

Reference only

The fourth-generation MASATSUNE 政常 was known as “Nōdo Sasuke” 納土左助 and was the son of the third-generation MASATSUNE. His earliest signatures include “Owari-no-Kuni jūnin Nōdo Sasuke Masatsune kore-o-tsukuru” 尾張国住人納土左助政常作之 or “Owari-no-Kuni Sasuke-no-Jō Masatsune saku” 尾張国左助尉政常作.

In Kanbun 2 (1662), he was granted a stipend of 100 koku and received the honorary title of Mino-no-Kami 美濃守. He was subsequently appointed as a swordsmith in the service of the Owari Tokugawa family. In the 9th month of Kanbun 5 (1665), he succeeded to the family headship, and in his later years signed his blades “Mino-no-Kami Fujiwara MASATSUNE” 美濃守藤原政常.

A blade is known bearing his early signature, “Owari-no-Kuni jūnin Nōdo Sasuke Masatsune saku, In the 2nd month Meireki 3rd” 尾 張国住人納土左助政常作 明暦三年二月日. The Tokugawa Reimeikai also preserves a tantō signed “Mino-no-kami Fujiwara Masatsune, In the 2nd month,Enpō 8” 美濃守藤原政常 延宝八年二月日, together with Naginata and Yari by the same smith. Dated works are thus known from the Meireki through the Enpō era. While his tantō and Yari are held in high regard, examples of his katana are exceptionally rare.

The subject sword was made before 4th MASATSUNE received the title of Mino-no-kami 美濃守, when he was in his late thirties, dating from approximately the Meireki era through Kanbun 5 (1655–1662). The characteristic manner in which the final stroke of the chisel in the character “Tsune” 常 is drawn downward at considerable length is a feature shared by the works of the successive generations of this lineage. Compared with the preceding generation, his inscriptions are somewhat smaller in scale, with a gentler and more restrained chisel execution.

This Katana has a broad Mihaba and substantial Kasane, giving it a powerful, weighty feel in the hand, with a handsome weight of 885 grams including the Habaki. It possesses a well-proportioned curvature and culminates in a medium-sized Kissaki, presenting a bold and vigorous Sugata. The deep Ha-machi and sound, robust condition of the blade further enhance its excellent quality.The blade retains an old polish.

MASATSUNE 4th died on the 17th day, the 2nd month of Genroku 2 (1689), at the age of 60.
Fitted with a silver-covered single-layer Habaki and accompanied by a new Shirasaya.

References:
Iwata Atou, Owari Tōkōfu, Nagoya City Board of Education, 1984.
Honma Kunzan and Ishii Masakuni, Nihontō Meikan, Yuzankaku, 1975.