Q426. O-suriage, mumei katana with Hozon paper, dated 2016 and giving it to Kawach Daijo Masahiro.

Nagasa: 26 1/2″ 67.3 cm.

Sori: 1.4 cm.

Moto haba: 3 cm.

Moto kasane: .6 cm.

Saki haba: 2.1 cm.

Saki kasane: .45 cm.

Nakago nagasa: 7 11/16″ 19.7 cm.

Overall in shirasaya: 37 1/4″ 94.8 cm.

Shinogi zukuri, iore mune, chu kissaki, koshi zori. The hada is ko-nuka with chikei (my pictures won’t do this justice). The hamon is suguba in a bright and consistent nioi guchi covered in ko-nie and including lots of fine hataraki; this is a classic Hizen suguba. The boshi is ko-maru with hakkikake and a medium length kaeri. The blade is flawless and, other than for one shallow scratch just below the yokote on the omote, it is in a quality polish. It is mounted in well made shirasaya and with a gold foil habaki in excellent condition.

Kawachi Daijo was the honorary title granted to 1st generation Hizen Masahiro, 1607 – 1665, later in his career. He was the eldest son of Yoshinobu, 1st generation Tadayoshi’s son-in-law, and the nephew of 2nd generation, Omi Daijo Tadahiro. Masahiro’s early work was in midareba; he didn’t produce suguba until after 1641, which helps to date this sword. Masahiro was employed by the Nabeshima Daimyo. He is rated Jo Saku in Fujishiro and, according to Token Bijutsu by the NBTHK, he was among the best of all Waki (non mainline) Hizen smiths.

A well made sword in excellent condition from an important smith: what’s not to like. 2 pounds, 7 ounces. $2,895.