Ordering Number: AS24130

Katana in Shirasaya with Koshirae (20th Juyo Token)

Golden inscription: Ryokai　了戒
Hon'ami (written seal mark)　本阿

Sayagaki:
the 20th Juyo Token
Yamashiro Koku Ryokai with Mitsuichi Gold Inlay Kao
Blade Length: 2 shaku 3 sun 3 bu
Showa Mizunoe-Ne Year, Yayoi (March), Auspicious Day

Koto: Jyo Saku: O-wazamono: Yamashiro
(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku, and Regular Saku.)
This work by Ryokai ranks as Saijyo Saku.

Habaki: Double-layered, Gold-wrapped
Blade Length: 70.6 cm (27.8in)
Curvature: 2.3 cm (0.9in)
Mekugi Holes: 2
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.7cm (1.1in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 1.78cm (0.7in)
Thickness (Kasane): 0.5cm (0.2in)
Sword Weight: 540 grams
Era: the late Kamakura period
Shape: slightly thin blae with slight deep curvature.
Jigane: Clear Jigane with dense itame hada
Hamon: Nideki thick Suguha with many Ko-ashi and Yo and sunagashi. Boshi is small rounded. This hamon is reminiscent of Kunitoshi.
Features: Ryokai was a swordsmith from the mid to the end of Kamakura period. He was from Rai school, and is said to have been son of Rai Kunitoshi or Rai Kuniyuki. However, according to the remaining piece with inscription, he seems to have been a contemporary of Kunitoshi. Hon'a is connoisseures of the Hon'ami family, who is polishing and appraising Japanese swords since the Edo period (1603-1868). They apprase swords and put golden inscription on it.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: Circular iron tsuba with silver edge.
Fuchikashira: shakudonanako, a picture of Samurai fighting on a boat.
Saya (Scabbard): Samegawa (ray skin)

Aoi Art’s Comment: This is a wonderful Ryokai piece with a superb Hamon that shows complex changes. The clean, neat shape and modest Hamon is graceful.

the 20th Juyo Paper
Aoi Art Estimation Paper
Whole Oshigata

Auction Starting Price:3,500,000JPY

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