with)Black pure lacquered notches sheath Chisa-gatana style koshirae
Length of cutting edge38.0cm Curvature0.8cm Width of base32.2mm Thickness of base5.0mm
Kitae(forging pattern) : Kitae-hada is outstanding large itame hada mixing in with entwined flowing masame hada. The surface is covered in with sparkling Ji-Nie activity that generates thick Nie lines of Chikei scene over the surface.
Hamon(tempering pattern) : Hamon is Ko-Nie based Notare wavy pattern generally and mixing in with Gunome small zigzag, sharpened up shape. There are some Tobiyaki and Muneyaki (temper spots) here and there to show Full (Hitatsura) temper indication.The interior of temper works with sunagashi and Kinsen strong nie-lines.The entire temper gives off vivid and strong light.
Boshi (tip): The temper of the tip in front is wavy then sharpened up, deeply turns back and the URA side is irregular line small circle deeply turns back.
Nakago(tang) : Shape of tang is Funazoko (bottom of ship shape) UBU un-altered, Shallow slanted left (Kattesagari) filemarks and round kurijiri heel. One mekugi-ana.The signature in hakiomote side is chiselled five large character that reads Sou-shu-ju MASA-HIRO.
Smith MASAHIRO middle of 16 the century in Sagami province exclusively had worked for Hojo Ujitsuna who was the lords of castle Odawara and had changed his smith name from MASA-HIRO to TSUNA-HIRO. Assumed that TSUNA for TSUNA-HIRO was given by the lord "Uji-Tsuna". He and his atelier had made and supplied swords to meet with great demands of Hojo or relative samurais. Many of existing works are, however, substantial, strong and sturdy swords and it is rare to come across such a Hitatsura indication work. This Hirazukuri wakizashi is one-shaku, two-sun and five-bu long for cutting edge which is assumed as a supplementary dagger for the long sword.
An Original (middle of Edo-period) Koshi-gatana fitting consists of Shakudo Fuchi/kashira set Bellflower, Chrysanthemum, Mantis design. Iron tsuba is Wisteria brass inlay works Heianjo syle. A set of Menuki hilt ornament is Shakudo ground Pinecone, Kozuka is shakudo saddle and a rod. Copper/gold plated habaki collar. Shira-saya plain wood mounting included.
