Ordering numbwe:AS24178

Katana: Shirasaya (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature: Minamoto Moriyoshi and Enju Nobutsugu Collaboration (Mukansa Swordsmith)
Showa Kinoe-Tora Nen 3 Gatsu Hi (March 1938)
源盛吉 延寿宣次合作作之(無監査刀匠)
昭和甲寅年三月日

We divide each sword into four ranks: Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku, and Regular Saku, based on the swordsmith’s skill. This work by Minamoto Moriyoshi and Enju Nobutsugu is ranked as Saijyo Saku. Polished. Habaki: Gold-covered double layer.
Blade Length: 72.7 cm (28.62 in).
Curvature: 2.2 cm (0.87 in).
Mekugi Hole: 1.
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.88 cm (1.53 in).
Width at Tip: 2.91 cm (1.15 in).
Thickness (Kasane): 0.86 cm (0.34 in).
Sword Weight: 1180 g (2.6 lbs).
Era: Showa Period.
Shape: The blade is notably wide at 3.88 cm, with a thick body, deep curvature, and an extended tip.
Jigane: The Koitame Hada is tightly forged, yielding a beautiful, clean jigane.
Hamon: The Hamon is characterized by a deep nioiguchi in a wavy Gunome pattern, leading to a sweeping midare Boshi with a rounded return and a sweeping finish at the tip.

Features: Minamoto Moriyoshi, a highly regarded modern swordsmith of the Meiji era, initially studied under Kongo Byoe Moritaka Yasuhiro in 1934 to acquire fundamental knowledge of swordsmithing.

Aoi Art’s Comment: Minamoto Moriyoshi was born in 1923 in Sencho, Yatsushiro District, Kumamoto Prefecture. He was awarded the Kaoruyama Award twice and the Kanzan Award twice in the New Sword Exhibitions, also earning multiple Excellent Awards. In 1998, he tragically passed at the age of 50. The sword bears the name Enju Nobutsugu, bestowed upon him by Moriyoshi. After the war, Japan’s swordmaking restrictions eased, allowing him to resume his craft in 1952. At the Second Sword Exhibition, he earned the Agency for Cultural Affairs Director’s Award twice, the Mainichi Newspaper Award, the Nihon Bijutsu Hozon Token Kai President’s Award, and both the Kaoruyama and Kanzan awards twice. He achieved unsupervised smith status in 1985, becoming famous for works emulating Kiyomaro. Enju Nobutsugu, originally named Hiroyoshi Tanigawa, was Moriyoshi’s son and learned swordsmithing from his father, winning numerous awards, including the Kaoruyama and Kanzan prizes. Sadly, he passed away in 1998 at the age of 50. This collaborative sword by father and son, Minamoto Moriyoshi and Enju Nobutsugu, is exceptional in both length and thickness. The first 5 cm of the edge is perfectly preserved, making it an extraordinarily robust and flawless work. This collaboration is an impressive masterpiece crafted by a father and son team, and it is highly recommended.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token(*the paper will be issued later)
Aoi Art Estimation Paper
Whole Oshigata

Auction Starting Price:1,200,000JPY

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