Shin-Shinto Masahiro Katana NBTHK Hozon Token

Shirasaya (with Tsunagui) and original Koshirae

Katana blade:

Nagasa: 71,3 cm. 
Motohaba: 3,2 cm.
Sakihaba: 2,3 cm.
Motogasane: 0,65 cm. 
Sakigasane: 0,45 cm.
Sori: 1,6 cm.
Mei: Masahiro
School: Hizen Tadayoshi
Period: ShinShinto
Age Era: Kōka (1844-1848) / Manen (1860-1861) at the end of the Edo 江戸時代 also called Tokugawa 徳川時代

Hamon: Midare combined near Midarekomi and parts with Hitatsura.

Hitatsura is a rare Hamon pattern that goes out of its line next to the edge and extends in the form of drops or islands in the rest of the surface in a random way.
Used from the late Kamakura period by the Soshu School, but became popular during the Muromachi period by most of the other main schools.
Rarely seen in the late Shinto and Shinshinto period, even fewer during the gendaito periods. Thereby are few ancient swords from this period with this rare and special Hamon.

Blade condition:

In good condition as can be seen in the general pictures and looking at the greatly enlarged ones at the end (Close-Up Macro pictures), it can be seen that the polishing is not recent, for this reason they reveal dots and scratches, but very superficial ones that are practically invisible to the naked eye. In these same enlarged photos, Hamon and Hada can be seen in detail, showing the quality of traditional forging work.
The polishing is very well preserved for being old, a new one would not be necessary, something that is logically up to the buyer's opinion, of course. Remains a razor edged.

About this Katana blade and Koshirae with Shirasaya:

Attributed to 7th gen Masahiro (NBTHK pappers attested the Mei of Masahiro) It is very strong and long blade, wide and resistant, one of the last ones made with a possible real combat use in mind (some were used in the Satsuma Rebellion 西南戦争 also called Seinan War 西南戦争 in which the last Samurais fought with your Katana swords event well known for being the subject of the film "The Last Samurai"). The blade remains in its original condition and the Koshirae is possibly also the original at least the Kodogu pieces, something quite rare, Ito and Sageo of course have been replaced at an indeterminate time as usual. However, the Shirasaya is a much more recent work, surely made during the last polishing as is usually done. The same we could say of the wooden sword (Tsunagui) made to mounting the Koshirae while the blade is into the Shirasaya.

Koshirae:

Dragonfly theme (Tombo 蜻蛉) a Samurai symbol dragonfly represents victory and courage.

Tsuka:
Wood: Honoki (Hinoki 檜 Japanese Cypress)
Fuchi/Kashira and Menuki couple: Dragonfly (Tombo 蜻蛉) Gold and Silver inlay
Same: Ray Skin
Ito: Black natural Silk

Tsuba:
A great fine forged iron work with Gold and Silver inlay. Depicted a landscape of mountains, one looks like an invocation of Mount Fuji and under it a old traditional bird capture nets. The hole for Kogai is filled with silver alloy, which seems to indicate that the Tsuba was already antique when it was mounted on the Koshirae.

Habaki 鎺:
Old copper work looks like Silver alloy or plated, a perfect fit.

Saya:
Wood: Honoki (Hinoki 檜 Japanese Cypress)
Kurikata Shitodome couple: Golden Silver
Black ishime Urushi lacquered
Sageo: Black Silk

Koshirae condition:

It looks like the original Koshirae of the blade barely restored (for sure it is renovated from an indefinite time Ito and Sageo as usual). It shows signs of use and poorly repaired lacquer wear only in part of the end of the Saya. The Tsuka shows a double perforation, one being the original and the other much more recent for adjustment when mounting the wooden sword (Tsunagui). The Kashira shows hard wear because the years.

Shirasaya:

Wood: Honoki (Hinoki 檜 Japanese Cypress)

It is a quite recent traditional work, surely done at the same time as the last polishing, as is usually. Very good condition.

Tsunagui:

Also made Honoki (Hinoki 檜 Japanese Cypress)

Kantei 鑑定 attested blade identification:

Nippon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai (NBTHK) 日本美術刀剣保存協会 Society for Preservation of Japanese Art Swords original Japanese certification of authenticity.

NBTHK Hozon Token paper dated on the year 1999 says this is a ShinShinto Katana Masahiro signed Mei

and

Kyoiku-inkai - Japanese official documentation (paper previously called Daimyo) the document card that testifies to the sword ownership :

Sealed of Prefectural (Kyoiku-inkai) Registration Card In order to legally own a original sword in Japan it has to be registered in accordance with the Ju-to-ho 銃刀法 it is the original card including inscription in equivalent characters of the Katana Nakago Mei (Masahiro signature) in order at inequivocal blade identification.

Daimyo Registered: This sword was registered in current sword registration system started in Japan in modern era. Such swords, which were registered in a few years after the system started, are known among collectors as "Daimyo" (feudal lord) registration swords as it was Daimyo or other Daimyo-like wealthy families who owned many precious swords and were asked by the Japanese government to register their swords in the early stage of the newly introduced registration system to familiarize it to the society but it is not the official name of course what is Kyoiku-inkai (Prefectural Registration Card)

Only Katana blade and Koshirae (with original Japanese papers of course) for sale, Katanakake (Katana stand) is not included.

Item out of stock - アイテムが利用できません - Artículo no disponible - Article non disponible - Verkauft nicht verfügbar - تباع البند - Товар продан

Ref.: Katana 119

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