Edo era (17th Century) Katana by Tsugukane

(Signed: Setshu-ju Fujiwara TSUGUKANE)

This elegant Katana comes with an NBTHK Hozon paper attesting to its authenticity and quality.

Shinto Middle of Edo period (Genroku era/circa A.D.1688) Settsu
Length of cutting edge 72.6cm Curve 1.0cm Width of base 32.0mm Width of Yokote 21.0mm Thickness of base 6.8mm

Sugata (configuration) : Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune. Long blade and there is shallow curve leading to a middle tip.

Kitae (forging pattern) : Kitae-hada is well-kneaded itame hada which is conspicuous and covered in thick Ji-nie hard metal granules over the surface and thick Nie lines so called CHIKEI works over the entire surface.

Hamon (tempering pattern) : Hamon starts with quiet straight so called YAKIDASHI and GUNOME outline, in which interior is covered in fine and uniform misty NIOI and outline is covered in fine ko-nie. Gunome-feet works finely toward the cutting edge, clear and strikingly vivid. There are some bruising nie-lines (Sunagashi) in the interior of temper.

Boshi (tip): The temper of the tip is straight quietly with medium circle turned back.

Nakago (tang) : UBU un-altered, O-sujikai and Kesho filemarks and Shallow Iriyama heel shape. One mekugi-ana peg hole. The signature in hakiomote is chiselled thick and deeply long character - the place of work (Setshu-ju) and smith name (Fujiwara TSUGUKANE).

The length of cutting edge is as long as two-shaku, three-sun and nine-bu with shallow curvature. The entire shape is impressively brave. Although the sword directory says that the smith TSUGUKANE had been active during Genroku period, this work has the strong flavor of the work in the former generation during Enpo period circa A.D.1673 - extended length with shallow curve leading to a middle tip. Forging still varies in pattern. There are a few but insignificant slight darkish grain marks below the yokote ridge in omote side. There is rich and massive hiraniku volume and impressively long, brave and heavy.
The workmanship shows a typical Osaka-shinto stype and has a virtue of beauty - Genroku period. Prominent work.
Gold foiled habaki collar. Shira-Saya plain wood mounting.