K73153(S2561) katana signed Washu-ju Osaka-ni-oite KANEYASU tsukuru (mirror writing) NBTHK(Tokubetsu Hozon)
Shinto Early Edo period (Keicho era/circa 1596-) Settsu
Length of cutting edge 76.7cm Curvature 1.0cm Width of base 31.1mm Width of Yokote 22.0mm Thickness of base 6.6mm
Blade construction: Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune. Average in "Mihaba" due to length holding a bit on shallow curvature, a less degree of tapering from base to an elongated chu-kissaki called "Keicho-shinto style" which revived the oversized mid-Nanbokucho blade shape.(click HERE for higher resolution image of the entire blade)
Forging(Hada): Forging is Itame-hada mixing with Masame ware along boundary line. Steel gives off brilliant flash to cover with sparkling hard metal granules "Ji-nie" on Hira-ji surface and thick lines of Nie so called Chikei obviously appears.
Temper(Hamon): Hamon boundary line is fine but a rather on stronger side Nie hard metal granules base, starts with Osaka style Yakidashi, flamboyant box-like "large Gunome", "small Gunome" or "Togari sharpened shape". Some quenching overflows, drops or spills over of "Tobiyaki" or "Yubashiri". The sparkling quench crystalline densely attaches along boundary line and the interior is extremely deep in "Noi" mist like crystalline area where brilliant Nie throws up sparks of feet "Ashi" frequently into the cutting edge and thick, long lines of Nie "Kinsuji" or short lines of "Sunagashi" frequently appears. Those activities of quench state are lively vivid with full of great spirit.
Temper of tip(Boshi): Boshi forms "Hakikake" sweeping indication with abundant thick lines of Nie then turns back deeply to the back ridge.
Tang(Nakago): The nakago is Suriage shortened by approx. 1-sun 5-bu (4.5cm). Two large mekugiana. "Gyaku-sujikai" slanting right filemark appears on the original area and upper area is "Kiri" horizontal mark. The other side shows "Kiri" horizontal mark. Back ridge of Nakago is flat. The signature is performed in mirror writing with large and bohemian chiselled Washu-ju Osaka-ni-oite KANEYASU tsukuru 和州住於大坂包保作.

KANEYASU 包保 who was descended from Tegai school lived in Yamato domain and said he moved to Osaka on about Bunroku 4 (1595). It is well-known that his inscription was formed by mirror image writing in the reversed direction of the normal way like this sword. Also it is understood from this example of "slanting right filemark" to prove that he was born left-handed by nature.
The number of extant works by the swordsmith 1st generation KANEYASU 包保 is comparatively small while the dawn of a keicho-shinto era in Osaka, whereas the number of works by 2nd generation (Kan'ei/1624-) "Hidari-Mutsu 左陸奥" or 3rd generation (Kanbun/1661-) of "Migi-Mutsu 右陸奥" were getting larger during a growing demand for the swords.
This is a quite rare work by the 1st generation KANEYASU 包保 during keicho era (1596-) which is powerful and lively with energy and dynamism overflows. Although it was suriage shortened, it is still long and holds massive Nanbokucho-revival shape in the keicho era.
High Shinogi-ridge and Masame forging indicates an essential characteristic of Yamato school and temper boundary line that sparkles vividly bright with abundant Nie activities is full of Yamato Tegai feature.
He has a quite high reputation for the artistic valued of "Josaku" superior made also sharp cutting performance rating of "Wazamono".
Double layer gold foiled Habaki collar, preserved in a Shira-saya plain wood mounting.
Skilled polish/Condition scale: very good (using a scale of mint-excellent-very good-good-fair-poor)
katana signed Washu-ju Osaka-ni-oite KANEYASU tsukuru
katana signed Washu-ju Osaka-ni-oite KANEYASU tsukuru
 Back Home