Ordering number：24629

Katana: Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature: Naniwa Ju Gassan Unryushi Sadakazu (Kokuin)
Keio 2, Hinoe-Tora, 3 Gatsu Hi(March 1866)
浪華住月山雲龍子貞一(刻印)
慶應二丙寅三月日

At Aoi Art, we classify swordsmiths' works into four ranks: Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku, and Regular Saku.
This work is ranked Jyojyo Saku as a blade by Gassan Sadakazu.

Habaki: Single-layer silver.
Blade Length: 2 shaku 3 sun 6 bu (71.52 cm / 28.15 in)
Curvature: 3 bu (0.91 cm / 0.36 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.33 cm (1.31 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 2.21 cm (0.87 in)
Thickness of Rim (Kasane): 0.79 cm (0.31 in)
Sword Weight: 865 g
Era: the end of Edo Period, around the Keio era(1865-1868)
Shape:A broad blade with substantial thickness and an elongated tip.
The blade features a double groove carved on both sides, with detailed engravings of a flaming Fudo Myo-o and a dense dragon motif.
Jigane (Steel):Well-forged straight-grained steel (masame-hada), forming an excellent texture.
Hamon (Temper Line):A suguha (straight) hamon with abundant nie and intricate patterns, showing double and triple temper lines.
The blade displays notable activity, including sunagashi and kinsuji.
Boshi (Tip):The hamon continues in layers and ends with a sweeping hakikake.

Features: Gassan Unryushi Sadakazu is a renowned swordsmith of the Shinshinto period, noted for both his exceptional blades and intricate carvings.
This piece also comes with a tsuba crafted by Sadakazu himself.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: An oval iron tsuba with raised ridges and numerous engraved marks, created by Gassan Sadakazu himself.
Fuchikashira: Silver base.
Saya (Scabbard): Black lacquered saya.
Menuki: Carved design of a figure rowing a Japanese boat.
Aoi Art's Comment:
This koshirae unmistakably reflects the status of a high-ranking samurai.
The tsuba, made by Sadakazu himself, is extraordinarily rare.
In my opinion, the fuchikashira and menuki featuring the boat carving might also be his work.
This is a unique piece, and I highly recommend acquiring it along with this koshirae.

Historical Context: In the late Edo period, Japan was embroiled in conflict between Imperial loyalists and Shogunate supporters.
In Keio 3 (1867), Tokugawa Yoshinobu, the 15th Shogun, returned political power to the Emperor, ending 700 years of samurai governance.
In Meiji 9 (1876), the Haitorei Edict prohibiting the wearing of swords was issued.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token
Aoi Art estimation paper
Whole Oshigata

Auction Starting Price:3,000,000JPY

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