Ordering Number: AS26261

Katana in Shirasaya (NBTHK Hozon Token)

Signature: Bizen no Kuni Osafune Ju Sukesada Saku
Dated: February, Kyoho 13 (1728)
備前国長船住祐定作
享保十三年二月日

(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku).
This blade is ranked as Jyojyo Saku among the works of Bizen no Kuni Osafune Ju Sukesada.

Habaki: Single gold-foiled habaki.
Blade Length: 68.5 cm (26.97 in).
Curvature: 1.8 cm (0.71 in).
Mekugi Hole: 1.
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.24 cm (1.28 in).
Width at Yokote: 2.07 cm (0.81 in).
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.61 cm (0.24 in).
Sword Weight: 725 g.
Era: Edo period, February 1728.
Shape: A katana with a slightly wide mihaba, comparatively deep curvature, and an elongated kissaki.
Jigane: Well-forged itame hada with the grain clearly visible.
Hamon: Ko-nie-deki suguha with nijuba. The boshi turns back in a rounded ko-maru.

Features: At first glance, this sword could easily be mistaken for a Muromachi-period work by Sukesada. Upon closer inspection, however, the jigane reveals subtle differences, including a faint shirake-utsuri, and the length of the tang also differs from that of Muromachi examples. By the Kyoho period, the Yokoyama school had begun signing their works as Bizen no Kuni Yokoyama Sukesada. For this reason, a blade bearing the signature Bizen no Kuni Osafune Ju Sukesada from this period is exceptionally rare. Preserving the tradition of the Muromachi Sukesada lineage while carrying a clearly dated inscription of February, Kyoho 13 (1728), this is an especially valuable example. The workmanship is excellent, with graceful, deep curvature and an attractive overall sugata.

Historical Background: In 1728, during the reign of the eighth Tokugawa shogun, Tokugawa Yoshimune, the Kyoho Reforms were in full progress. To restore the shogunate's finances, the land tax rate was increased from approximately 40% of the harvest to 50%, placing a heavier burden on farmers and contributing to later peasant uprisings. The year is also remembered for the arrival of an elephant in Edo, which attracted widespread public attention.

NBTHK Hozon Token.
AoiArt estimation paper: Whole Oshigata.

Please note: The price does not include the international shipping fees.

Auction Starting Price:650,000JPY

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