Ordering number:23709
Katana in Shirasaya (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)
Signature: (Sanskrit) Seitan Ryuoji Minamoto Sadatsugu (Kaō)
(Sanskrit) Showa 20 Nen 2 Gatsu Kicchobi (February 1945)
(梵字)精鍛龍王子源貞次(花押)
(梵字)昭和廿年二月吉祥日
Featured in the "Shinshinto Collection (Blade Pattern and Signature)" p.234, published by Fujishiro.
We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku, and Regular Saku.
This work by Seitan Ryuoji Minamoto Sadatsugu is ranked as Saijyo Saku.
Habaki: silver single Habaki.
Blade Length: 68.0 cm (26.77 in)
Curvature: 2.1 cm (0.83 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base: 3.14 cm (1.24 in)
Width at the Tip: 2.29 cm (0.90 in)
Thickness of Rim: 0.67 cm (0.26 in)
Sword Weight: 655 grams
Era: February, Showa 20 (1945)
Shape: wide and thick blade with deep curvature with an excellent shape of the point and stretching feeling.
Jigane: Well-arranged small itame hada creating a plain jigane style.
Hamon: Nie-deki, deep nioikuchi with irregular midare hamon and well-defined ashi with a long working and deep nioikuchi. The boshi rounds back nicely.
Aoi Art’s Comment: This piece was made by Takahashi Sadatsugu, who was recognized as a Living National Treasure in Japan, and is listed in Shinshinto Shu, p.234.
This piece was made just before the end of World War II. He was a renowned swordsmith even then, but still had to stop making swords for several years after the war.
I once purchased a Tanto in the U.S. that was made by Sadatsugu and presented to Walton Walker, the commanding general of the American occupation force in Japan. I believe it may have been his first postwar work. I remember well that it was carved with cherry blossoms and inscribed in both Japanese and English.
Historical Context: A work forged in the year Japan ended the war, crafted with great effort.
NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token
AoiArt estimation paper
Whole Oshigata
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