Wakizashi Singed (Chrysanthemum crest) Echizen-no-kami Minamoto NOBUYOSHI Red stone surface Japanese lacquered sheath koshirae fitting
Shinto Early Edo perios(Meireki ERA/CIRCA A.D.1655) Yamashiro province
Length of cutting edge54.7cm Curvature0.3cm Width of base29.3mm Thickness of base6.6mm Width of Yokote20.3mm
NBTHK(HOZON)
Red stone surface Japanese lacquered sheath koshirae fitting
Sugata(configuration) : Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune, Base is built firmly and shallow curvature leading to middle kissaki.
Forging pattern(kitae-hada) : Kitae-hada is Itame mixing in with Mokume-hada. The entire forging pattern appears conspicuously and ji-nie works on the hiraji-surface.
Hamon(tempering pattern) : Hamon is gunome mixing in with Choji-ha and Togari-ha which is in variety. The tempering edge is ko-nie based, vivid and bright. The interior of temper is frequently active with Sunagashi and Kinsen- activity, The entire Ji-ha is quite refined and clear.
Tang(Nakago) : Nakago is unaltered(UBU). One mekugi-ana (retaining peg hole). Osujikai file marks. Kengyo bottom shape.
Boshi(temper of tip) : Boshi is straight and a bit deeply turn back.
Echizen-no-kami NOBUYOSHI in Yomashiro(Kyoto) province was active during middle of 17th century. He was a son of the first smith Shinano-no-kami NOBUYOSHI. He was allowed to chisel a chrysanthemum crest under the habaki collar from Chotei (the Imperial Court). Among Nobuyoshi families, he is the most skilled and superior on the workmanship. This is a O-wakizashi(large wakizashi) which is one shaku eight sun and seven bu, of which entire shape is wide base and shallow curvature leading to small kissaki which is called as KANBUN SHINTO STYLE.. Forging pattern is conspicuous Itame-hada and burl (mokume-hada) which is kneaded finely covered in fine ji-nie. Tempering pattern is covered in bright ko-nie and in the interior of temper is frequently works with Sunagashi activity. This O-wakizashi is surely one of his superb works. Old polish no significant flaws.
The old koshirae fitting is clean for the ages and shows a a period good flavor. comprising : Red stone surface lacquered sheath (there are some hollows and flaws marks partially), tsuka covered in plain sharkskin and wrapped in black Hira-maki leather. Shakudo dragon entwined with sword menuki hilt ornament, Iron ground fuchi and kashira in stripe gold plated (A part of kashira has been decayed off due to rust), Iron ground Mokkou shape tsuba, shakudo fukurin(rim).
Old copper habaki collar. Shira-saya plain wood mounting