Ordering number: 22275

Katana in Shirasaya(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)
Signature: Chikuzen Kami Nobuhide 筑前守信秀
Meiji 8Nen 2 Gatsuhi(Feb 1875) 明治八年二月日

Sayagaki: written by Mr. Tanobe.
Chikuzen no Kami Nobuhide
This five-character mei is accompanied by a date inscription of Meiji 8 (1875), showcasing the masterful work of the smith in his later years.
Notably, the latest known work with a wave motif dates to Meiji 10 (1877).
The sword has a solid and robust form with a flowing itame grain pattern, creating a textured surface (hada).
The hamon displays a complex midare pattern with small gunome, with plentiful nie and sunagashi.
The boshi is exuberantly tempered, exhibiting yaki-kuzure.
This piece is an excellent reference for understanding the characteristics of the smith's later work.
Blade length: 2 shaku 4 sun 8 bu (75.15 cm / 29.58 in).
Kōshin (甲辰), 9th month, signed Tanzan (with kaō).

(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo saku, Jyojyo saku Jyo saku and regular saku)
This sword belongs to saijyo saku ranking.
habaki:Gols dailed double habaki.
The blade was polished.
Blade length : 75.3cm or 29.64 inches.
Sori :1.7 cm or 0.66 inches.
Mekugi : 1
Width at the hamachi : 3.16cm or 1.24 inches.
Width at the Kissaki : 2.29cm or 0.90 inches.
Kasane :0.94 cm or 0.37 inches.
The weight of the sword 940 grams
Era : Meiji 8, February.
Shape : Wide and thick blade with deep Sori, longer Kissaki.
The Ubu-Ba is left. This is nice shape Katana.
Jigane : Ko Itame Hada well grained. The Jigane is blackish.
Hamon : Nie Deki, Gunome Midare. There are double Ha, Ashi, and Yo.

Special feature: This blade is mentioned on the book „Kurihara Nobuhide no Kenkyu(p.256)“. Many swordsmiths followed the instructions after the ban on swords was issued in 1874.　Nobuhide was ordered by the Emperor Meiji to make 18 swords, and in the 6th year of the Meuji era he was permitted to visit the temple with the Emperor Meiji, and he was able to see the treasured sword of Shosoin. In 1873, the World Exposition was held in Vienna, Austria. Specially Nobuhide, Korekazu, and Mumetsugu made swords to show national prestige.

From Aoi Art: By the 8th year of the Meiji era, there were almost no swordsmiths making Japanese swords.
In particular, it is thought that Nobuhide was treated specially by the imperial family and was taken into consideration. But in the 10th year of Meiji, he stopped making swords.　There are various theories, but it is said that he committed suicide with a Tanto that he made himself.
If we look closely at this sword, it looks like and old sword.
It is just a wonderful work and unique Hamon.
We highly recommend this wonderful piece of sword.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token
Aoi Art estimation paper
whole Oshigata　

Price:3,400,000JPY

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