Ordering Number: 25177

Katana in Shirasaya (The 68th NBTHK Juyo Token)

Signature:
Bitchu Koku ju Saemon no Jo Hidetugu
備中国◻︎◻︎住左衛門尉秀次
Kareki 2 ◻︎◻︎ Gatsu Hi (1327)
嘉暦二◻︎◻︎月日

Sayagaki: Written by Akimoto Kunshu.
Bitchu no Kuni ◻︎◻︎ ju Saemon no Jo Hidetugu
Blade Length: 2 shaku 3 sun 4 bu (71.0 cm / 27.95 in)
Dated: A lucky day in July, Showa 19 (1944)

Chukoto: O-wazamono: Jyo Saku : Bitchu
We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This piece is ranked as Saijyo Saku (highest rank) among the works of Aoe school.

Habaki: Double-layered gold-covered habaki
Blade Length: 2 shaku 3 sun 4 bu (71.0 cm / 27.95 in)
Curvature (Sori): Just over 4 bu (1.21 cm / 0.48 in)
Mekugi-ana (Peg Holes): 3
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.37 cm (1.33 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 2.12 cm (0.83 in)
Thickness (Kasane): 0.73 cm (0.29 in)
Sword Weight: 870 g

Era: Kamakura period, Kareki 2 (1327)
Shape: wide and thick akmost Ubu Tachi with curvature from the base.
Jigane: Ko-itame hada, densely forged with well-visible utsuri.
Hamon: Nie-based suguha with active ko-ashi, the boshi is rounded and slightly turns back.

Features: The Aoe school was active in Bitchu Province from the Kamakura period through the Nanbokucho period.
Works from the mid-Kamakura period are referred to as Ko-Aoe, while later pieces are simply called Aoe.
Ko-Aoe blades are characterized by a suguha hamon with small nie, whereas works from the Nanbokucho period tend to show a tighter nioiguchi suguha or Sakasa-choji midare.
This blade was made in the late Kamakura period and displays a transitional style with a calm but tight nioiguchi and occasional reverse ashi.
Additionally, the blade surface shows utsuri, a characteristic feature of the Aoe school.

The sayagaki was written in July of Showa 19 (1944), just about a year before the end of World War II, and the sword has been well preserved ever since.
We highly recommend this healthy and robust work.

The 68th NBTHK Juyo Certificate
Aoi Art estimation paper: Whole Oshigata included

Price:9,500,000JPY

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