C273. Wakizashi signed Bizen Kuni Osafune Ju Yokoyama Sukekane Saku. Kimi Banzai. Tomonari Go Ju Hachi Dai Mago (58th generation). Kaei Shichi Nen Hachi Gatsu Hi (August of 1854).

Nagasa: 19 7/8″ 50.4 cm.

Sori: 1.8 cm.

Moto haba: 3 cm.

Moto kasane: .65 cm.

Saki haba: 2 cm.

Saki kasane: .4 cm.

Nakago nagasa: 6″ 15.1 cm.

Overall in shirasaya” 29 3/8″ 74.5 cm.

Shinogi zukuri, iore mune, chu kissaki.  There are bo-hi and soe-hi on either side of the blade.  Small itame hada with ji-nie.  The hamon is nioi deki in groups of choji midare, quite exuberant, and becomes midare-komi in the boshi with a shortish kaeri.  The nakago is ubu, one hole.  The blade is flawless; there are no defects.  Other than for a small smudge just above the habaki on the omote the sword is in polish.  It is mounted with a fine solid silver habaki in well made shairsaya (the polish, habaki, & shirasaya were done in Japan, I believe).  This comes with a Hozon paper from the NBTHK in Tokyo, dated 2014, attesting to the signature and quality.  Also included is a full length oshigata laid loose on a hanging scroll (from a Japanese dealer) and a silk-like bag for the shirasaya.  Everything is in excellent condition.

Yokoyama Sukekane was the adopted son and/or student of Yokoyama Sukenori.  Following a tradition in his family, he signed as the 58th generation of Tomonari, one of the 3 oldest master swordsmiths of Japan.  Sukekane is listed as Chu jo saku in Fujiwara.  According to the authors of Nihonto Koza (as translated by Harry Watson), “To list the toko who were especially skilled in the Bizen Den,the choji midare of Yokoyama Sukekane was a distinctive one.”

The word that comes to my mind as I compose this description for this wakizashi is Sweet!  Every so once in a while I come across a sword where all is right, everything fits; this is one of them.  I don’t have the words for it and I know my pictures are less than perfect, but trust me, this is a fine sword.  2 pounds, 1 ounce.  $3,300.