with) AOI crest brown pearl-of-inlay Makie lacquered scabbard Ito-maki type Tachi mounting
Length of cutting edge 69.2cm Curvature 2.4cm Width of base 29.0mm Thickness of base 7.0mm Width of Yokote 18.0mm
| Blade construction: Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune, Deep in curvature that stands firmly on base and appears upper pointed
curve Sakizori as well leading to a medium Kissaki.(click HERE for higher resolution image of the entire blade) Forging(Hada): Forging is fine Itame in general, mixing with Mokume burl grain indication. The entire forging scene on Hiraji appears to be diffused reflection like the Milky Way sparkling effect of Bō-Utsuri. Carving(Horimono) : There are 2 carvings of Sanskrit characters Bonji on lower the Shinogi-ji in both sides. Temper(Hamon): Hamon, a bit on Nioi side based, forms a combination of large and small Gunome along spaciously undulating Notare. The interior of temper is active with YOU - floating quench dots and Ashi feet that spread into the cutting edge. Temper of tip(Boshi): Quench of Boshi is irregularly Midarekomi, small circle turns back. Tang(Nakago): Nakago is slightly Suriage shortened that remains almost UBU original shape. Two peg holes of Mekugiana. Katte-sagari (shallow slanting leftward) filemarks. Kurijiri in full (double-bevelled) heel shape. Two small character of signature IESUKE 家助 is clearly chiselled at lower the Shinogi-ji. Among the sword makers so called Ouei-Bizen in Osafune, both Morimitsu 盛光 and Yasumitsu 康光 had played leading roles during Ouei era early 15th century in Bizen province (now Okayama pref.). The major smiths such as Moromitsu 師光, Tsuneie 経家, Iesuke 家助 were also in the mainstream of Ouei-Bizen movement that was mostly in the revival mood of Kamakura from 13th century period. The subject katana signed IESUKE 家助 shows a typical characteristics of Ouei-Bizen - deeply curved shape and diffused reflection like the Milky Way emits from steel. Spacious quench pattern of undulating slope with combination of large and small Gunome is one of the major peculiarities of IESUKE. This katana is designated as the 20th JUYO Token award in 1971. AOI crest brown pearl-of-inlay Makie lacquered scabbard Ito-maki type Tachi mounting consists of : (click HERE for the entire koshirae and HERE for each metal ornament)
Copper ground/gold foiled Habaki collar, preserved in a Shirasaya plain wood mounting Old good polish/Condition scale: excellent (using a scale of mint-excellent-very good-good-fair-poor) |
