NBTHK Hozon Tōken
Katana mumei Sawahara Shigetane,-
Nagasa [length]: 64.6 cm
Sori [curvature]: 1.5 cm
Motohaba [bottom width]: 2.9 cm
Sakihaba [top width]: 2 cm
Motokasane [bottom thickness]: 6.2 mm
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Sugata [configuration]: Shinogi–zukuri, iori–mune, chu-kissaki
Kitae [forging pattern]: Itame hada mixed with mokume
Hamon [tempering pattern]: Choji on a suguha base, in nioi–deki with yō and sunagashi
Boshi [point]: Ko–maru tending to hakikake
Nakago [tang]: O–suriage, kirijiri; two mekugi–ana
Horimono [carving]: Bo–hi on both sides
Koshirae [mounts]: The blade is accompanied by a fine antique handachi-style koshirae.
Origami [paper]: The sword comes with a registration certificate as Hozon Tōken (Sword Worthy of Preservation) issued by the Nihon Bijutsu Tōken Hozon Kyōkai.
Sawahara Shigetane was a skilled swordsmith active in the late Edo period. Originally from Shirakawa, in the Oshu region (present-day Fukushima Prefecture), he was also a samurai and resided in the Musashi domain, which now forms part of modern Tokyo. On the instructions of his domain, he trained under the renowned master Taikei Naotane, becoming one of his most accomplished pupils. He even adopted the character “Tane” in his signature—the same used by his master—as a sign of recognition and respect. His blades show a style strongly influenced by Naotane’s Bizen-den tradition, and it is thought that he may have crafted many swords on his master’s behalf. His works are noted for their elegance and refinement: this blade features a slender shape, a prominent hada, and a choji hamon on a suguha base, in true Bizen style.
SOLD
(Inv. #2078)
