Ordering Number: AS25369

Katana in Shirasaya (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Inscription:
Koki 2603 Nen 11Gatsu Kichijitsu 皇紀二千六百三年十一月吉日
Tame Sato Bunzo-Shi Shugo 為佐藤文造氏守護
(translation: for the protection of Mr. Sato Bunzo)
Osaka Ju Gassan Sadakatsu Kinsaku(written seal mark) 大阪住月山貞勝謹作

We divide works in to Saijo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku,and Regular Saku.
This piece is ranked as Jyojyo Saku for Gassan Sadakatsu.

Habaki: Gold plated single habaki, Gassan's original habaki
Blade length: 67.2 cm (26.46 in)
Curvature: 2.0 cm (0.79 in)
Mekugi hole: 1
Width at base (Motohaba): 3.17 cm (1.25 in)
Width at tip (Sakihaba): 2.14 cm (0.84 in)
Thickness (Kasane): 0.70 cm (0.28 in)
Blade Weight: 765g

Era: During war time, 1942

Shape: wide, thick and robust blade with Mitsumune.
Jigane: Fine Jigane with exquisite Jinie forming packed masame-like pattern.
Hamon: Niedeki Gunome and pointed Gunome.

Features:
Gassan Sadakatsu was the son of the 1st-generation Gassan Sadakazu and is known as a master swordsmith who represented the 20th century. In addition to ayasugi-hada, which is original jigane of Gassan family, he excelled in a wide range of forging styles.
Given that Masame-like Jigane and pointed Gunome midare of this sword, this work appears to have been made modeled after early Mino works from the Nanbokuchō period, as seen in the masame tendency in the jigane and the pointed gunome-midare hamon.

From Aoi-Art:
Kōki　2603(Japanese Imperial calender sistem promoted at the time), corresponds to 1942, in the midst of the WW2. In June of that year, Japan suffered a major defeat at the Battle of Midway, and in August, operations at Guadalcanal met with early setbacks.　As the war situation deteriorated, it is easy to imagine the owner of this sword departing for the battlefield, making the inscription “Shugo　守護” (protection) all the more poignant.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate
Aoi-Art estimation Paper
whole Oshigata

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

Auction Starting Price:1,500,000JPY

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