Wakizashi signed Gashu-ju IEHIRA
G25943(W3245)
Shinto Early Edo period (Enpo era/circa A.D.1673 about 330 years ago) Kaga province
Length of cutting edge58.8cm Curvature1.4cm Thickness of base6.4mm Width of base27.6mm Width of Yokote18.4mm
Sugata(configuration) : Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune. Long wakizashi. Mihaba is in average and there is shallow-curve leading to a middle tip. (click HERE for higher resolution)
Kitae(forging pattern) : Kitae-hada is tight and fine Ko-itame-hada (small wooden grain mark) and swelling masame hada pattern is mixing in. Hiraji is covered in with fine hard metal granules which is so called Ji-Utsuri reflection and generates Chikei hard metal thick/darkish lines along hiraji surface.
Hamon(tempering pattern) : Hamon starts with two box shape gunomes (zigzag) temper line, mixing in with small Choji(clove) or slanted Togari(sharp) outline and then medium straight temper, the edge of temper varies with frequent irregular zigzag. The interior of temper is filled in with whitish mist (nioi) activity.The entire temper is Nioi based generally.
Boshi (tip): The temper of the tip is straight (suguha) and returns with medium circle back.
Nakago(tang) : Unaltered (UBU) and two peg retaining holes. Filemark is O-sujikai. The signature in hakiomite is five and medium, thick chiselled character that starts with work and living place [Gashu-ju], smith name [Iehira]. Nice and old taste of patina and remains clear marks of original chisel.
The smith Iehira had belonged to Darani school, one of the representative smiths in Kaga province. He changed his smith name to [KUNI HIRA] on the third year of Shotoku (A.D.1713), real name Suzaki Kichibei. The entire shape of this long wakizashi shows typical style of kanbun/Enpo period about 300-350 years ago, shallow curve, less difference in width between base and tip leads to a middle tip. His major character of forging steel is tight itame wooden marks and indication of Masame straight grain marks with box indication of temper shape. From it's signature, this wakizashi was attributed to one by the second generation Iehira. Old polish and shows very slight darkish stains over the surface but holding rich and abundant volume of hiraniku, heavy on hand and healthy, enough for appreciation. Passed away the 17th year of Kyoho (A.D. 1732)
Old copper base, gold plated decorative habaki collar. Set in Shirasaya plain wood mounting.
Weight: 5000.00 gms
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