Ordering number:AS25647

Katana in Shirasaya (NBTHK Hozon Token)

Signature: Sakai Ikkansai Shigemasa (Mukansa Tosho)
Auspicious day in August, 1970
酒井一貫斎繁政(無監査刀匠)
昭和四十五年八月吉日

Sayagaki:　Sakai Ikkansai Shigemasa
Mukansa Tosho
Auspicious day in August, 1970
Instructor at the Nihonto Tanren Denshusho operated by Kurihara Hikosaburo
Blade length: 2 shaku 4 sun 9 bu 5 rin (approximately 75.6 cm / 29.76 in)
Bizan (Kao)

We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This sword is ranked as Jyojyo Saku for works by Sakai Ikkansai Shigemasa.
Habaki: Gold-covered single layer
Blade Length: 75.6 cm (29.76 in)
Curvature: 1.5 cm (0.59 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.27 cm (1.29 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 2.35 cm (0.93 in)
Thickness of Rim (Kasane): 0.63 cm (0.25 in)
Sword Weight: 895 grams
Shape: A wide-bodied sword with remaining ubuha (original blade edge), moderate curvature, and a slightly wide kissaki.
Jigane: Finely forged ko-itame hada, dense and of excellent quality.
Hamon: Nie-based gunome-midare with deep nioiguchi, well-developed ashi, and fine kinsuji within the ha. The boshi is rounded and returns. On one side, the nie becomes sweeping toward the tip.

Features:　Sakai Ikkansai Shigemasa was recognized as a Mukansa smith.
"Mukansa" is the highest rank given to swordsmiths by the NBTHK, requiring multiple top awards in their competitions.
He was born in 1905 (Meiji 38) in Shizuoka as Sakai Kojiro. At age 16, in 1921 (Taisho 10), he decided to become a swordsmith and moved to become a disciple of Kasama Ikkansai Shigetsugu. He received the name “Shigemasa” from his master.
In 1941 (Showa 16), he was appointed as an army-commissioned swordsmith, and in 1944, he was also appointed by the navy.
After the war, he was certified as a Mukansa smith in 1981 (Showa 56). He later changed his name to Shigemasa and became known as a master of horimono (blade carvings), producing many works.
He passed away in 1996 at the age of 91.

Aoi Art’s Comment:　You may refer to the back side of the Shinshinto Taikan for detailed information about Shigemasa after he changed his name. He is a renowned Japanese swordsmith.
The 1970 Japan World Exposition was held in the same year this sword was made.

NBTHK Hozon Token
Aoi Art estimation paper
Whole Oshigata

Auction Starting Price:950,000JPY

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