A68095(W3395) Wakizashi signed Izumi-no-kami Fujiwara KUNISADA
with) Black wrinkled Leather crust lacquered scabbard Wakizashi Koshirae
NBTHK(Tokubetsu Hozon)
Shinto early Edo period (Kan'ei era / circa 1624-) Settsu
Length of cutting edge 48.2cm Curvature 1.2cm Width of base 29.7mm Width of Yokote 20.5mm Thickness of base 6.2mm
Blade construction : Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune. Wide in Minaha, thick in Kasane, holding bravely shallow curvature in Sori with scarce degree of tapering from base to tip that ends in an elongated Chu-kissaki. Entire blade is massively heavy on hand in a highly harmonious mannerwhich was assumed to preferences in swrodsmanship that appeared in theKeicho - Kan'ei era (1596-) referred to as Keicho-shinto style 慶長新刀姿. (click HERE for higher resolution image)
Forging(Hada) : Jigane steel is finely-kneaded Ko-Itame-hada appears on Hiraji and conspicuous Masame indication on Shinogi-ji surface. Sparkling martensite crystals Ji-nie appears against fine Ko-Itame to generate precise gleaming lines of Jet-black lusterChikei appearance over the Hiraji surface in light.
Temper(Hamon) : Hamon is uniform sparkling rather on stronger side martensite crystals of Nie based, starts with straight Kyo-Yakidashi on base, undulating Notare with Gunome. Upper the blade, it becomes Suguha stronger/brighter the Nie where rich activities of Gunome-ashi is perceived. Some isolated quenching area Yubashiri appears on Shinogi-ji and also along back ridge of Mune. Boundary line glows bright with martensite crystals of Nie and deep in the Nioi mist-like crystalline area.
Temper of tip(Boshi): Boshi form a Gunome below Yokote, wide in temper to form Suguha straight, medium circle turns back in good manner.
Tang(Nakago) : UBU in original in ship-bottom shape. Yasurime is greatly slanting left Ō-sujikai. Back ridge of Nakago is flat with Ō-sujikai filemark. The heel shape is uneven U-shape of Ha-agari-Kurijiri. One peg hole of Mekugi-ana. The signature inscription in front is located upper the Nakago along Shinogi-suji ridge, starts with the an official district title Izumi-no-kami 和泉守, aname of clan Fujiwara 藤原 and the name of smith KUNISADA 国貞.

The famed sword artisan KUNISADA 国貞 was born in Tensho 18 (1590) as a legitimateson of the head priest in a Buddhist temple Saikyo-ji (now in Miyazaki-city). However he had set his mind on becoming a swordartisan and went up to capital Kyoto to join a Horikawa school for thesake of fellowship KUNIHIRO 国広 from the same district. He was a juniorin the shool and KUNISUKE 国助 is colleague. He reportedly was inexperienced25 years old when a great master KUNIHIRO 国広 passed away in Keicho 19 (1614).
He devoted himself under detailed training by senior KUNITOMO 国儔 to moveto Settsu (now in Osaka) with colleague KUNISUKE 国助 on about Gen'na 6 (1620)as the founder of 2 major Osaka-shinto lineages.
He enjoyed Izumi-no-kami 和泉守 title in the 12 th day, 9 th month Gen'na9 (1623) when he was matured 34 years old. Late in his life, he had become Buddhist priest named Douwa 道和, passed away in the 5 th day, the 5 th month,Keian 5 (1652), was 63 years old. He is evaluated as "Above Superior Made" with the glory of "Above Superior Sharp" cutting performance "Wazamono".

The subject wakizashi is traced back to right after the Winter/Summer Siegeof Osaka castle in 1614-15. The shape is created in solidly durable construction which was ordered by courageous Samurai worrier under state of war. Howeverin detailed view on Jigane skin, this wakizashi is forged using super finesteel performiong extra-brilliant quenching Hamon. Minute scene of forgingto assent using the finest steel, more brilliant the Hamon to convincehigher the tempering. These feature stands at the dawning of the new Osaka-shintoAge.
The shape of Nakago creates in ship-bottom that tapers toward the heel,clear file mark maintains and typical inscription signature.

with) Black wrinkled Leather crust lacquered scabbard Wakizashi Koshirae (click HERE for entire Koshirae and HERE for each fitting)

•Fuchi/Kashira : Stock farm design Shakudo polish surface, Takabori carving,Gold Iroe, unsigned
•Menuki : Bundle of firewood design, Shakudo Yobori carving, Iroe
•Kozuka : Chiyu-zu (Spider on web) design, Shakudo, Nanako-ji, Takabori,Gold Iroe, unsigned
•Tsuba : Dragon on waves design, Iron ground, Nikubori carving, Gold Nunome-styleinlay, signed JAKUSHI 若芝
•Saya scabbard : Shangshu 6 wording 『君子所其無逸』 (God helps those who help themselves)
•Tsuka : White rayskin Black silk cord Moro-Tsumami-maki style lozenge wrap

Silver/copper alloy OBOROGIN single layer Habaki collar, preserved in anew Shira-saya plain wood mount
Good old polish/Condition scale: mint - excellent (using a scale of mint-excellent-verygood-good-fair-poor)

reference data : Honma Kunzan/Ishii Masakuni, Nihonto meikan, Yuzankaku,1975
 
Wakizashi signed Izumi-no-kami Fujiwara KUNISADA 
Wakizashi signed Izumi-no-kami Fujiwara KUNISADA
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