E23165(S7854) Katana signed (Kiku-mon) E'chu-no-kami MASATOSHI with) Black lacquered Natane style Uchikatana Koshirae		NBTHK(Hozon)
Shinto Early Edo period (Enpo period /circa 1673-80) Yamashiro Length of cutting edge 70.4cm Curvature 1.6cm Width of base 31.2cm Width of Yokote 19.6cm Thickness of base 7.5mm
Blade construction: Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune. Mihaba on base is ordinary standing firmly on base and thickness of kasane is rather thick side. There is an appropriate difference in width between base and tip of Yokote leading to a middle Kissaki. The entire shape creates neat and smart impression which was flourished during Kanbun - Enpo (1661-80) period . (click HERE for higher resolution image of the entire blade) Forging(Hada): Forging mark is Itame mixing with partial loosen ware of large Itame marks. Steel gives off the impression of Nie sparkling hard metal granules "Ji-nie" and darkish precise lines of Nie so called "CHIKEI" activity that wells out from steel. Temper(Hamon): Hamon is fine Nie hard metal granules base, starting with shallow and long straight Yakidashi and flamboyant large Gunome, combined medium Gunome, Norare wave, Clove and Arrow tail outline where entire temper varies in shape. Some of quenching lines breaks splashing into Hiraji that generate "Tobiyaki"　and "Yubashiri" activity. The interior of temper is filled with mist-like crystallize area deeply with ASHI and floating YOU activities, thick lines of Nie SUNAGASHI and bright curved threadlike KINSEN areas. The entire temper gives off extremely bright and vivid impression. Temper of tip(Boshi): Temper of boshi forms straight having Nu-ju-ha activity with a bit wave indication and small circle turns back so called "Mishina-style Boshi". Tang(Nakago): The heel of Nakago is UBU original with one peg hole. Kurijiri (double bevelled heel) with slanting left (Sujikai) filemarks, the back ridge of Nakago is flat. The inscription on Hakiomote side starts from 16 petals of KIKU flower crest then under the peg on the shino-gi-suji ridge, five character that starts from an official district title of E'chu-no-kami 越中守 and the smith name MASATOSHI 正俊. Smith E'chu-no-kami MASATOSHI 越中守正俊 was the 4th son of O'kanemichi 大兼道 who established Mishina schools 三品派 in Yamashiro province with his elder brothers of Iga-no-kami KINMICHI 伊賀守金道, Izumi-no-kami KINMICHI 和泉守金道, Tanba-no-kami YOSHIMICHI 丹波守吉道. They have had great influence rather than Umetada and Kunihiro schools in Yamashiro through Edo period. The Imperial Court bestowed 16 petals KIKU chrysanthemum flower crest which looks like a windmill on the 2nd generation of E'chu-no-kami MASATOSHI on after Shouho era (1644-47). The subject sword is a work of the 3rd generation of E'chu-no-kami MASATOSHI who met with popular demands from rich merchants for the wakizashi made to order or high class Samurais for katanas in big commercial city of Kyoto or Osaka. Black lacquered Natane pattern scabbard Uchikatana Koshirae consist of : (click HERE for the entire Koshirae and HERE for each fittings) Fuchi/Kashira : Literary men playing the koto and go, Shakudo Nanako-ji, Takabori, gold Iroe Menuki : Ikebana flower arrangement design, Shakudo, Yobori carving, gold Iroe Tsuba : Ume blossoms and parallel lines openwork design, Copper ground, Ishime-ji stone surface, Silver Fukurin rim unsigned Tsuka : White layskin, grayish green silk cord lozenge wrap Gold foiled double layers copper habaki collar, preserved in Shirasaya plain wood mounting. Old polish/Condition scale: very good (using a scale of mint-excellent-very good-good-fair-poor).