A katana | Signed Hizen no kuni Tadayoshi (Tadayoshi [8th generation] from Hizen Province) | Edo period, 19th century

A katana

Signed Hizen no kuni Tadayoshi (Tadayoshi [8^th generation] from Hizen Province)

Edo period, 19^th century

Sugata [configuration]: shinogi-zukuri, iori-munei, tori-zori, chu-kissaki

Kitae [forging pattern]: konuka hada mixed with itame in places

Hamon [tempering pattern]: suguha in fine jinie

Boshi [tip]: komaru-boshi with turnback

Nakago [tang]: ubu, ha-agari kurijiri, single mekugi-ana

Habaki [collar]: single clad, copper

In shirasaya [plain wood scabbard]

Koshirae [mount]: the itomaki no tachi koshirae with lower section in brown lacquer, upper section in striated gold and black lacquer design, iron fittings, chased and engraved fuchi-kashira with crests of chrysanthemum on swirling waters (kikusui), iron tachi tsuba, the shakudo and gilt menuki in the form of stylised arrowheads (yanone)

Nagasa [length from kissaki to machi]: 73 cm., 28¾ in.

Saki-haba [width at the yokote]: 2.9 cm., 1⅛ in.

Moto-haba [width at the machi]: 3.1 cm., 1¼ in.

Accompanied by a certificate of registration as Tokubetsu Hozon Token [Sword Especially Worthy of Preservation], no. 146507 issued by the Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai [Society for the Preservation of the Japanese Art Sword], dated Heisei 13 (2001); with further papers