Katana, Koshirae

[ Signature ] omote : 武芸八幡住兼圀作　ura : 平成十六年春吉日

[ Size ] Blade length: 72.5cm (2 shaku 3 sun 9 bu 2 rin), Curvature: 1.8cm (5 bu 9 rin), Base width: 3.36cm, Base thickness: 0.75cm, Tip width: 2.52cm, Tip thickness: 0.50cm, mekugi-ana hole: 1, Blade weight: 831g, Total length with mountings: 105cm

[ Province ] Gifu pref.

[ Feature ]
Form : The blade features a shinogi-zukuri design with a wide body, a slightly thicker edge, and a moderate curvature. The tip width does not narrow excessively, resulting in a medium cutting edge.
Engraving : The engraving consists of rod-shaped grooves flowing along both sides.
Nakago : The nakago is natural-gripped, with a diagonal file pattern and decorative filing. The tip is shallow with a chestnut-shaped end, and there is one mekugi hole.
Jigane : The jigane exhibits a fine, itame-hada grain with ji-nie.
Hamon : The hamon is a random ko-gunome pattern with ashii and ha, displaying fine nie.
Boushi : The boshi is a straight, small maru with a slight sweeping effect towards the tip.

Black-lacquered sheath with uchigatana mountings: Ryū-zu menuki, bamboo-patterned rim, flower-and-arabesque sword guard, and ajiro-patterned fuchigashira and kojiri.

[ Highlight ] Ogawa Kenkoku, whose given name was Ogawa Kunihiko, was born in 1925 (Taisho 14) and created swords in Hachiman, Muge-gawa Town, Mugi District, Gifu Prefecture. This piece was created when Kanekuni was seventy-nine years old. The following year, it was recognised as uninspected, making it a work of mature skill yet possessing a youthful vigour. It is a practical sword for combat, benefiting from his background as a commissioned swordsmith for the Imperial Japanese Army. It features a broad blade with slightly thicker thickness, yet without excessive thickness, with a flat profile and rod-like grooves (bōhi) carved on both sides. The curvature is well-balanced, resulting in a medium cutting edge (chūki-saki) shape. The sword is forged with a well-grained itame (small plate grain) pattern, with a wide temper line (yaki-haba) and a wavy blade pattern (hamon) featuring good foot (ashi) and leaf (ha) elements within the ko-gunome (small interlocking grains) pattern, along with fine bo (small boiling points). It has been polished for iaido practice and is mounted in a modern iaido sheath with contemporary fittings.

[ Conditions ] The blade shows slight flaws and scuffing, but is generally excellent. The sheath also shows little sign of use and is excellent.

[ Attachments ] Habaki(silver, single), koshirae and bag of koshirae.

[ Item number ] A121225 [ Price ] JPY 580,000- (shipping and insurance fee are not included in the price)

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