Perry’s arrival in 1853 unraveled the Tokugawa peace and created the first mass demand for working swords in two centuries. Kiyomaro, called the Masamune of Yotsuya, died on its eve; Munetsugu and Yukihide carried the boom to the end.
NihontoWatchNihontoWatchSummary This blade was signed by Sadaharu (貞晴) in Settsu (Today’s Osaka). Sadaharu was an apprentice of Gassan Sadayoshi, one of the most famous Japanese swordsmiths at the end of the Edo period. Sadaharu named himself Kenryushi (剣竜子), a child of blade and dragon. It is said that Sadaharu often did Daisaku for his master, Sadayoshi. Sadaharu was active during the Keio-early Meiji era (Late 19th-early 20th century). Daisaku is a regular act where an apprentice or a child of the swordsmith signed his master’s name with his master’s permission, being involved in a sword-forging. That means that his master highly acknowledged Sadaharu’s craftmanship. Who is Gassan Sadayoshi? Gassan Sadayoshi’s real name is Gassan Yahachiro. He was born in Dewakoku(Yamagata prefecture today) in 1781. Gassan is the name of the school he belonged to. It was initially founded during the Heian period(late 12th century). It is said that the school name “Gassan” (月山) came from the fact that they forged swords near the mountain called Gassan in Dewakoku. In Sadayoshi’s early career, he learned sword forging technique from his father, Okuyama Yasaburo Sadachika(山弥三郎貞近), who is said to have been a descendant of a member of O-Shu Gassan school (奥州月山), one of the oldest Gassan schools. When Sadayoshi became about 20 years old, he went to Edo city(today’s Tokyo) to serve Suishinshi Masahide(水心子正秀) as an apprentice. Sushinshi Masahide is known as one of the most skilled and famous swordsmiths at the end of the Edo period(150-200 years ago). After ten years of apprenticeship under Masahide, Sadayoshi mastered excellent craftsmanship. And he moved to Osaka in 1833 when he was 30 years old. He founded Osaka Gassan school there, improving his sword-forging technique and eventually settling there. He also trained many apprentices, who later became notable swordsmiths at the end of the Edo period. While Gassan school was known as one of the most prestigious schools from the Kamakura period(late 12th century), its presence faded in the early-mid Edo period. However, after Sadayoshi became a highly-regarded swordsmith at the end of the Edo period, the whole school revitalized and flourished again because of his continuous effort. Sadayoshi adopted a son from Tsukamoto family and named him Sadakazu, who later became one of the most famous swordsmiths in the post Samurai period(Meiji era). Father and son spent many years researching traditional Gassan style swords and finally made Ayasugihada, the signature design of Gassan school. Ayasguhihada looks undulating grain pattern in the Jihada(steel surface), which resembles a Japanese cedar grain. Gassan Sadayoshi also forged other styles of swords aside from Ayasugi Hada Jihada. Gassan Sadayoshi died at the age of 71 in the third year of the Meiji era(1870). His son, Sadakazu, preserved the tradition of Gassan, and he passed it down to Sadakatsu. Sadakazu and Sadaharu both learned sword-forging techniques from Gassan Sadayoshi. The Gassan school has been running for the 6th generation. The current Gassan alive is Gassan Kazutoshi, and his son is Gassan Sadanobu. They still keep forging traditional Japanese swords in Nara prefecture today. This blade is appraised as a Hozon Token(保存刀剣) issued by NBTHK(Nihon Bijutsu Touken Hozon Kyokai:日本美術刀剣保存協会). Fuchi-Kashira This Fuchi Kashira has a simple look and is colored with elegant black paint. Also, you could enjoy the texture and color of the metal material directly as it does not have ornamental decorations. Although there are minor damages due to aging, we think these are tellers who show us this Fuchi Kashira’s history. Tsuka and Menuki We guess the motif of this Menuki is probably the Usagi (兎, rabbit). In Japan, a tale says rabbits are pounding steamed rice into a cake on the moon. This fable has been handed down for a long time, and some people still have the custom of enjoying the moon-viewing while thinking of this scene. According to folklore that has been passed down in the continent, it is said that rabbits are treating immortal herbs. This story was brought to Japan, and herbs were changed to rice cakes. Based on this idea, some people have believed the rabbit pattern represents longevity. It might have inspired the choice of this Menuki’s motif. Kozuka The Kogatana (小刀, small knife) and the Kozuka are directly attached. The design of the handle part is probably a kind of plant. It looks like a branch of a Japanese apricot blossom with lots of buds. Silvery coloring makes an ornamental look of this work. Saya This Saya is coated with stingray skin. Authentication Paper They authenticated the blade on Dec 10th in the 30th year of Heisei (2018). They appraised it as Hozon Touken, the blade worth preserving for Japanese society.
Offered by Samurai Museum
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Shinshinto · Settsu · around 1865-1868
Tōken Taikan top 95%
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Shinshinto · Settsu
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| Smith | Era | Designated |
|---|---|---|
| Sadaharu貞晴 | 1865-1868 | 0 |
| Sadayoshi貞吉 | 1926-1989 | 0 |
| Yoshiaki吉明 | 1844-1848 | 0 |
| Naonobu直信 | 1854-1860 | 0 |
| Sadayoshi貞吉 | 1830-1863 | 0 |
Bakumatsu: the last war market
Perry’s arrival in 1853 unraveled the Tokugawa peace and created the first mass demand for working swords in two centuries. Kiyomaro, called the Masamune of Yotsuya, died on its eve; Munetsugu and Yukihide carried the boom to the end.
Certifies a genuine blade worth preserving: a signature confirmed correct, or, if unsigned, an era, province, and school that the NBTHK can reliably identify.
The NBTHK (Nihon Bijutsu Tōken Hozon Kyōkai, the Society for the Preservation of Japanese Art Swords) is a public-interest incorporated foundation founded in 1948 and supervised by Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs (Bunkachō); it is based at the Japanese Sword Museum in Tokyo. Its expert panels physically examine each submitted work (shinsa) and issue a certificate (kanteishō) ranking it by artistic and historical merit. NBTHK papers are the most widely recognized standard of authentication for Japanese swords and fittings.
NBTHK official siteReturns/exchanges limited to defects caused by shipping (except willful misconduct or gross negligence by the company); customers must contact within 72 hours of receiving the product.