Ordering Number: AS25782.

Katana in Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token).

Signature: Yoshitsugu (Ko-Aoe).
吉次(古青江)

Sayagaki: Honami Nisshu (Living National Treasure).
Ko-Aoe Yoshitsugu, signed in the center of the nakago, from around the Kencho era (1249-1256).
Length: 2 shaku 1 sun 3 bu.
Written on a lucky day in January, Showa Mizunoto-Ushi year (1973).
Honami Nisshu.

Sayagaki: Tanobe-sensei.
Bitchu Province Ko-Aoe Yoshitsugu.
This blade has an ubu nakago with a two-character signature on the hakiura side of the pheasant-thigh shaped tang, and large sujikai yasurime can be observed.
Most works seen by smiths of the same name date to the late Kamakura period (1185-1333), and examples of Ko-Aoe are rare.
It has a slender form with small kissaki and koshi-zori curvature, showing itame-mokume hada with standing utsuri, and a quiet suguha hamon in ko-nie-deki, possessing an elegant and rustic taste.
Blade length: 2 shaku 1 sun.
Tanzan Ori (kao).

O Wazamono: Bitchu.
(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku).
The workmanship of this sword is ranked as Jyojyo Saku for Yoshitsugu (Ko-Aoe).
Habaki: Gold-plated double habaki.
Blade Length: 63.6 cm (25.04 in).
Curvature: 2.1 cm (0.83 in).
Mekugi Hole: 2.
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.77 cm (1.09 in).
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 1.48 cm (0.58 in).
Thickness (Kasane): 0.66 cm (0.26 in).
Sword Weight: 525 g.
Era: Kamakura period, around the Karyaku era (1326) (about 700 years ago).
Shape: Standard width with solid thickness.
The curvature is quite strong at 2.1 cm (0.83 in).
Jigane: A well-forged and finely compacted beautiful jigane.
Hamon: Nie-deki suguha.
The nioi is well compacted with occasional ko-ashi working.

Features: This blade has an ubu nakago and the placement of the signature is tachi-mei, identifying it as Ko-Aoe.
The signature reads Yoshitsugu, making it a precious work.
He is considered an early Chu-Aoe smith who signed as Yoshitsugu Uemon no Jo, and the clearly cut signature and ubu nakago add to its value.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: Shakudo nanako ground with openwork rings design.
Fuchi: Wrapped in leather.
Kashira: Horn.
Saya (Scabbard): Blue shell inlay scattered design.
Menuki: Rings carved on shakudo ground.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token.
AoiArt estimation paper: Whole Oshigata
Please note: the price does not include the shipping fees.

Auction Starting Price:3,500,000JPY

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