Q863. Katana by Satsuma Masayuki.

Nagasa: 25 1/4″  64 cm.

Sori:  1.75 cm.

Moto haba:  3.1 cm.

Mota kasane:  .8 cm.

Saki haba:  2.1 cm.

Saki kasane:  .4 cm.

Nakago nagasa:  7 1/4″  18.3 cm.

Overall in koshirae:  38 5/8″  98 cm.

Shinogi zukuri, iore mune, long chu kissaki, ubu one hole. The hada is ko itame with O itame in bright ji-nie. The hamon has a lot of activity: notare gunome with sunagashi, kinsuji, tobiyaki, nijuba, and imozuru (sweet potato vine) worked in a bright ara nie. Quite impressive. The boshi is a continuation of the hamon (with nijuba on the ura) ending in a slightly swept kaen (flame like) pointed return with a very long, thin kaeri – reaching nearly half way down the back of the blade. There are a few pin prick s here and there – very minor coarse grain – and nothing else to complain about.  The sword is in polish except for one scuff between the hamon and shinogi just below the yokote on the omote (just below the point on the katana out side). It has a gold foil habaki and a Hozon paper from the NBTHK in Tokyo.

This sword is in koshirae: flawless black lacquer saya, a Namban tsuba of shakudo and gold, shakudo fuchi kashira with shakudo and gold dragons – very nice – and gilt menuki of dragons again. The tsuka-ito (handle wrap) is in great condition.

The sword is signed Hoki no Kami Taira Ason Masayuki and dated Kansai San Gai Nen (1791 year of the boar). Masayuki was born in 1733 as the son of 2nd generation Masayoshi of the Satsuma School. He originally worked as the 3rd generation but in 1789 he was granted the Hoki no Kami title and changed his name to Masayuki. He died in 1819.  There is so much to appreciate in a well made Satsuma sword; this one is no exception. I can’t believe you won’t be pleased. 3 pounds, 8 ounces. $7,150.