Ordering number:AS19429

Wakizashi in Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Hozon Token)

Signature: Yamato no Kami Yasusada
大和守安定　

Shinto: Jyo Saku: Ryōwazamono: Musashi
(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku, and Regular Saku.)
This sword is ranked as Jyojyo Saku among Yasusada's works.
Habaki:Gold Foil Double Habaki
Blade Specifications:
Blade Length: 53.1 cm (20.91 in)
Curvature: 1.5 cm (0.59 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.9 cm (1.14 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 1.79 cm (0.70 in)
Thickness (Kasane): 0.58 cm (0.23 in)
Blade Weight: 425 g (0.94 lbs)
Era:Edo period, Keian 1 (1648)
Shape:A well-balanced form with standard width and thickness, featuring a slightly deeper curvature and an extended kissaki, characteristic of the Kan'ei era.
Jigane:Itame-hada with prominent grain, forming ō-itame-hada with visible ji-nie.
Shinogiji:Itame-hada with a large itame pattern, showing a distinctive texture.
Hamon:Nie-deki suguha with a slightly deeper nioiguchi, appearing bright and clear. The boshi is rounded and yakizume.

Features:During the Edo period, Musashi Province flourished as a center of sword-making after Tokugawa Ieyasu established his castle there. Many daimyo and swordsmiths from various regions relocated to Edo, contributing to its growth. Yamato no Kami Yasusada was a Musashi-based swordsmith and a student of the first-generation Yasutsugu. Yasutsugu, having moved to Fukui following his feudal lord’s relocation, later received the honor of using the Tokugawa "Aoi" crest and the character "康" from Ieyasu himself, establishing his reputation as an official swordsmith of the Tokugawa Shogunate. He also collaborated with Yasusada on several works in Edo. In Meireki 1 (1655), Yasusada was invited by the Date clan to work in Sendai, where he crafted dedication swords.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: Iron tate-marugata (vertical oval) tsuba with openwork carving of a bird of prey and trees.
Menuki: Design of shells, carved and decorated with gold inlay.
Fuchikashira: Shakudō nanako ground with a dragon motif, carved and highlighted with gold inlay.
Saya (Scabbard): Samegawa (ray skin) saya.

Aoi Art’s Comment:It would be difficult for most people to immediately recognize this piece as the work of Yamato no Kami Yasusada. Typically, his swords have a shallower curvature, a shorter kissaki, a ko-itame hada, and a gunome-midare hamon. However, this piece exhibits a completely different style, with an itame hada forming ō-itame, a distinct grain pattern, and a suguha hamon. The characteristics of the jitetsu and shinogiji resemble those found in Ōshū Mai-kusa and Hōju swords. It is likely that Yasushige crafted this piece as an homage to the older Ōshū-style swords, making it a rare and valuable historical reference.
In recent years, works by Yamato no Kami Yasusada have become increasingly scarce, making this an excellent acquisition opportunity.

NBTHK Hozon Token
Aoi Art Estimation Paper
Whole Oshigata

Auction Starting Price:550,000JPY

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