[ Feature ]
Form : Shinogi-zukuri. Iori-mune. Mihaba is wide. Kasane is ordinal. Chu-zori attached. Chu-kissaki, a little small in size.
Nakago : Ubu. Yasurimes are suji-kai. Saki is kuri-jiri. One hole.
Engraving : Both on omote and ura, there are bi-"hi"s, with round stops.
Jigane : Ko-itame-hada well grained. Very fine jinie attached. Chikei appeared.
Hamon : Sugu-ha. Ko-gunomes mixed. Ko-ashis and yos appeared.
Boushi : It runs in sugu. It turns which top form be sharp.
[ Hgihlight ]
Osumi Toshihira, swordsmith, was born on January 23, Showa 5(1932) in Nomura-Tomisawa, Shindagun, Gunma Prefecture (now Tomisawa-machi, Ota City). He graduated from Sawano Elementary School in 1946. In 1952, he began studying under Shohei Miyairi (a living national treasure), and in 1957 he received approval to create swords. In 1958, he exhibited his sword for the first time at the Exhibition of Sword Making Techniques and won the Excellence Award. In 1971, he was awarded the Masamune Prize at the New Sword Exhibition, and in 1974, 1976 and 1978 he was awarded the Masamune Prize at the New Sword Exhibition. In 1977, he was designated as an important cultural property holder by Gunma Prefecture, and in 1997, he was designated as an important intangible cultural property holder (living national treasure). During the course of his career, he has also been actively involved in organising solo exhibitions. In 1999, he was awarded the Medal with Purple Ribbon. In 2001, he made a guardian sword for Princess Aiko of the Imperial Household. He was awarded the Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon in 2003, 2004 and 2005, and the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon in 2005. His Majesty the King of the Sultanate of Oman and the Takamado family have also purchased his work. He was a judge for the New Sword Exhibition, and continued to dedicate his sacred spear and sword to the Ise Shrine until his later years. He died on October 4, 2009 at the age of 77.
This work has a long and imposing body with a high sori. It is made of a bright, blackish jigane with a medium straight blade with detailed changes. It has a dignified strength in its serenity. It is a piece of excellent workmanship with an overwhelming sense of presence.
[ Conditions ]
Excellent.
