G11608(S8108) Katana signed Bizen-koku-ju Osafune Shichibei (SUKESADA) with)Black Roiro style lacquered stripe scabbard Uchigatana Koshirae	Fujishiro Yoshio cert. paper Oct. 23th, 1944 NBTHK(HOZON)
Shinto Early Edo period (Shouou era/about 450 years ago) Bizen Length of cutting edge69.7cm Curvature0.9cm Width of base28.5mm Width of Yokote20.4mm Thickness of base7.2mm
Sugata(configuration) : Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune. Mihaba is in average and there is moderate curvature leading to a middle tip. (click HERE for higher resolution of entire blade) Kitae(forging pattern) : Kitae-hada is fine kneaded Itame-hada (wooden grain) generally mixing in with flowing Masame (straight grain) marks along shinogi-suji edge, where sparkling Ji-nie hard metal is covered over the surface that generates darkish, thick Nie lines so called CHIKEI activity. Hamon(tempering pattern) : Hamon generally forms Gunome, mixture of composite clove outline, zigzag and some temper splash spilled on surface (Tobiyaki). Some of tall clove outline (choji-ha) almost reach to the shinogi-suji ridge. Temper outline is covered in deep Ko-nie glitter that forms streaming Sunagashi or Kinsen activity. The entire temper is vividly clear, full of bright Nie activity, gaily decorated. Boshi (tip): The temper of tip becomes straight line indication with medium circle turns back deeply. Nakago(tang) : Machi-okuri (shortened) about 5.5cm. Katte-Sagari slanting leftward file marks. Two mekugi-ana retaining holes. The signature in front is located in shinogi-ji side, long character that starts from the place of work Bizen-koku-ju Osafune, real name Shichibei, the rest of heel cut off, judged as SUKESADA. The smith Yokoyama Shichibei-no-jo SUKESADA is the first son of Yokoyama Toushiro SUKESADA who is a legitimate 5th generation of the frontier Yosou-zaemon-no-jo SUKESADA in Eisho era the beggining of 1500's in Muromachi period. He lived to 98 years old, passed away in the 10th, 6th month, 2nd year of Enpo (1674). Unlike the other shinto katanas, he legitimately followed the traditional Osafune SUKESADA workmanship to show rich activity in the temper. The old original Black Roiro style lacquered stripe scabbard Uchigatana Koshirae consists of: Hilt : White Rayskin, black lozenge silk cord wrap, Metal ornament (Fuchi/Kashira, Kuchigane, Kurikata, Semekanamono and Kojiri) Shakudo ground Karakusa motif Menuki : Gold ground Shishi (Leo) motif Tsuba : Iron ground Japanese white radish and a mouse Old original copper Shonai style Habaki, Preserved in a Shira-saya plain wood mounting.