Ordering number:AS24266

Katana in Shirasaya (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature: (Chrysanthemum Crest) Echizen no Kami Minamoto Rai Nobuyoshi
(菊紋)越前守源来信吉

Shinto: Wazamono: Upper-Medium Grade: Settsu Province
At our company, we categorize the craftsmanship of each sword into four grades: Saijo Saku (Highest Grade), Jyojo Saku (Superior Grade), Jyo Saku (High Grade), and Regular Saku.
This sword is ranked as Jyo Jyo Saku (High Grade) for the works of (Chrysanthemum Crest) Echizen no Kami Minamoto Rai Nobuyoshi.

Habaki: Double-layered gold foil Habaki
Blade Length: 2 shaku 3 sun 3 bu (70.7 cm / 27.83 in)
Curvature: 4 bu (1.21 cm / 0.48 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base: 3.12 cm (1.23 in)
Width at Tip: 1.97 cm (0.78 in)
Thickness: 0.72 cm (0.28 in)
Sword Weight: 715 grams (1.58 lbs)
Era: Enpo Era, Edo Period
Shape: The curvature is slightly shallow, with an elongated kissaki (tip), giving the blade a sharp and refined appearance.
Jigane (Steel): The ko-itame (small grain) is well-forged, producing high-quality steel.
Hamon (Temper Pattern): The hamon is a well-formed, nioi-based gunome midare with a deep nioiguchi. It bears a resemblance to the works of Inoue Shinkai, exuding a similar atmosphere.

Features: Echizen no Kami Minamoto Rai Nobuyoshi, with the chrysanthemum crest, is considered the most skilled among the various Nobuyoshi smiths. His deep nioiguchi and suguha resemble the works of superior smiths from the Soshu school.
The chrysanthemum crest is engraved above the signature.

Aoi Art's Comment:
Among the various Nobuyoshi smiths, (Chrysanthemum Crest) Echizen no Kami Minamoto Rai Nobuyoshi stands out as the most talented. His hamon, which resembles that of Inoue Shinkai, is remarkable, with its calm and deep nioiguchi suguha.

Historical Background:
This was an era when the demand for swords was declining, prompting smiths to employ creativity and innovation in the pursuit of higher-quality works.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token
Aoi Art Certificate
Whole Oshigata

Auction Starting Price:550,000JPY

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