In the 8th month Bunsei 7th
with)Black Roiro lacquered scabbard Chi-sa katana Koshirae
Length of cutting edge 32.4cm Curvature 0.6cm Width of base 30.7mm Thickness of base 8.7mm
Forging(Hada): Fine/precise Itame-hada pattern throughout Hiraji surface whereas streaming ware appears along the back ridge of Mune. Surface is covered in uniform sparkling Ji-Nie hard metal granules. Darkish fine Nie lines so called Chikei-activity stands out over the surface. The entire Hada skin is elaborately fine forged and remains superbly mint condition.
Temper(Hamon): Hamon starts with long straight Suguha (Yakidashi), Five large undulating Notare like high seas mixing with clove outline (Choji-ha )that forms like a petal of chrysanthemum flower. Entire boundary line works with Ko-nie where sparkling Nie granule attaches in uniform. The interior of temper in full of Nioi mist where shows long Choji-feet in different angles that extends toward the cutting edge.
Temper of tip (Boshi): Boshi forms straight along cutting edge, a isolated dewdrop Tobiyaki is perceived on the other side and Yubashiri glitters appears in front, medium circle turns deeply back.
Tang(Nakago): Nakago is in UBU original. One retaining peg hole. Uneven U-shape heel. KIRI horizontal filemarks.The signature in front located along the back ridge side, Bizen-koku Osafune-ju SUKENAGA 備前国長船住祐永 and the other side is inscribed with the date of year In the 8th month Bunsei 7th (1824) 文政七年八月日.
Superior made "Jo-saku" artisan Yokoyama SUKENAGA 横山祐永, the famed smith in Bizen Osafune - real name is Yokoyama Kakunoshin 横山覚之助, was born in Kansei 6th (1794) as the 2nd son of Yokoyama SUKEHIRA 横山祐平. He had succeeded as a head of inherited exclusive artisan in Bizen province.
He enjoyed Kaga-no-suke title 加賀介 in Tenpo 4 (1833) also being allowed from the Imperial Court to chisel 16 petals of chrysanthemum KIKU flower as well as "Ichimonji" inscription or sometimes he proudly marks as 56th descendants of Osafune forefather "TOMONARI" 友成五十六代孫.
Passed away the the 6 th month, 2nd day, Kaei 4 th (1851) was 57 years old.
The subject wakizashi is in mint condition healthy work of SUKENAGA 祐永 when he was prime 30 years old. Exceedingly thick in Kasane massively heavy on hand. Hamon forms five big surges with a splash and splayed mist whereas interior consists of long foot Choji clove out line to form like a KIKU flower. This is an article made to order using super fine minute steel, glorious temper as well as pictorial KIKU flower petals to say well-harmonized artistic Wakizashi to meet with a special demand. Artisans with traditional Bizen skill were very few in number in Edo period.
with)Black Roiro lacquered scabbard Chi-sa katana Koshirae consists of :
(click HERE for entire Koshirae in front / HERE for other side / HERE for each fitting)
- Fuchi/Kashira : Bundle of firewood design, Shakudo ground Sukibori carving, Gold Iroe, unsigned
- Tsuba : Plain Yamagane copper polish surface, Shakudo Fukurin rim, unsigned
- Menuki : Hermit design, Shakudo ground, Katabori carving, Gold Iroe
- Kozuka/Kogai : AOI-mon crest in triple, Shakudo copper alloy ground, Nanako-ji sirface, Takabori carving, Gold Iroe, unsigned
- Tsuka: White rayskin, Kinari natural silk cord Hosoito fine thread lacing-up lozenge wrap
Recent polish/Condition scale: mint-excellent (using a scale of mint-excellent-very good-good-fair-poor).
reference data : HONMA Kunzan/ISHII Masakuni, Nihonto Meikan, Yuzankaku, 1975
