M16996(W8579) Wakizashi signed Mino-no-kami TOSHINORI
In the 2nd month, Snake, the 4th calendar sign, the 9th year of Kansei
NBTHK(Hozon/Tokubetsu kicho)
Shin-shin-to in the late Edo period (9th year of Kansei /1797) Inaba
Length of cutting edge 37.2cm Curvature 0.7cm Width of base 31.6mm Width of Yokote 22.4mm Thickness of base 6.5mm
Blade construction : Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune. Wide in Minaha, wide ratio of Hiraji to Shinogiji, massive volume of Hiraniku, holding a shallow sori and less degree of tapering from base to pronounced Fukura area that ends in an enlongated Chu-kissaki. (click HERE for higher resolution image)
Forging(Hada) : Hada is fine Itame mixed with Mokume indication and entwined flowing grain mark appears on base. Masame hada is perceived on Shinogi-ji. Profuse martensite crystals Ji-nie appears against well refined Jigane to generate black gleaming lines of Chikei all over the surface.
Temper(Hamon) : Hamon is a little on stronger side martensite crystals Ko-nie, starts with long slope of Yakidashi like the foot of Mt.Fuji with a full-moon-like spot of Tobiyaki then flamboyant undulating large tassel-shaped Choji, fist-shaped Choji and chrysanthemum flower petals shape Choji. Boundary line is abundant with prominent martensite crystals of Nie. In the mist-like crystalline area, thick Ashi emits sparkling light in angles toward the cutting edge and short lines of Nie Sunagashi areas sparkles in the hardening boundary line.
Temper of tip(Boshi): It becomes calmly undulating with a spot like a sunset,medium circles turns back deeply.
Tang(Nakago) : UBU original. Yasurime starts with decorative file marks in Suridashi area, greatly slanting left Ō-sujikai. The heel shape is Uneven U-shape of Ha-agari KURIJIRI. One mekugi-ana. The powefully chiselled writing of signature is located along the Shinogi-suji ridge that reads Mino-no-kami TOSHINORI 美濃守寿格 and the date of year is chiselled on the Shinogiji of the revesed side saying that In the 2nd month, Snake, the 4th calendar sign, the 9th year of Kansei 寛政九年丁巳二月日.

In the late Edo pewriod, Hamabe TOSHINORI 濱部寿格 was one of the two greatest sword makers, equaled Suishinshi MASAHIDE 水心子正秀. He had produced a large number of prominent makers such as the most prime brother Minamoto MASAO 山浦真雄 and Minamoto KIYOMARO 源清麿 appeared in his Hamabe school.

Hamabe TOSHINORI 濱部寿格 was born in Enkyo 3 (1746), in Tottori, Inaba province. Family name is Hamabe 濱部 and intitial name Gonzaemon 権左衛門, later changed to Kurōsaemon 九郎左衛門. First became a pupil of Heki KANESAKI 日置兼先 then came up to Edo during Tenmei-Kansei era (1781-1800) to learn from sword artisan / judgement Matsumura Masanao 松村昌直 and a sword scholar Kamata Natae 鎌田魚妙, also went down to Bizen in order to learn Bizen tradition from SUKESADA 祐定.
While scholarship he named himself KANEYOSHI 兼賀 or TOSHINORI 頴悳. In Tenmei 5 (1785) he became independent when he was 41 years old to obtain Mino-no-kami 美濃守 official title from Emperor and changed his sminth name to TOSHINORI 壽格.
This wakizashi shows his great originality of picturesque Hamon so called chrysanthemum flower petals 菊花丁子 with long slope of Yakidashi - the foot of Mt.Fuji with a full-moon-like spot that was very influential in his time. Nakago shows well-ordered Yasurime with tidy decorative Kesho filemarks and gives off good taste of patina. From the date of year Kansei 9 (1797), this wakizashi was made when he was mature 50 years old.
Passed away in the 24th day, the 6th month of Bunka 7 (1810), was 66 years old.
Gold foiled upper Habaki with lower Shakudo collar, preserved in Shira-Saya plain wood mounting
Recent polish/Condition scale: mint - excellent (using a scale of mint-excellent-very good-good-fair-poor)
Wakizashi signed Mino-no-kami TOSHINORI
Wakizashi signed Mino-no-kami TOSHINORI
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