NihontoWatchOrdering number:24663Wakizashi in Shirasaya with box(NBTHK Hozon Token)Signature: Osaka ju Gassan Sadakatsu Kinsaku (Kao)Koki 2601 Nen 8 Gatsu Kichijitsu(August, 1941).大阪住月山貞勝謹作(花押)皇紀二千六百一年八月吉日We classify the craftsmanship of swordsmiths into four categories: Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku, and Regular Saku.This katana is ranked as Jyojyo Saku for the work of Sadakatsu.Habaki: Single-layered silver habaki (Gassan-style habaki)Blade Length: 56.0 cm (22.05 in).Curvature: 1.6 cm (0.63 in).Mekugi Hole: 1.Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.24 cm (1.28 in).Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 2.71 cm (1.07 in).Thickness (Kasane): 0.49 cm (0.19 in).Sword Weight: 685 g (1.51 lbs).Era: Showa 16 (August 1941).Shape:A robust and healthy blade with a wide mihaba and thick kasane.Shape: Omote: Flaming Fudo Myo-o (Fire deity).Ura: Plum blossoms and a dragon.Jigane:Beautifully forged ko-itame mixed with mokume hada.Hamon:Nie-deki gunome-midare, with sunagashi and kinsuji active in the blade.Features:This katana comes with a signed box inscription, which reads:"Inscribe: Osaka-ju Gassan Sadakatsu Kin Saku (with Kao).Dated: August, Koki 2601.Forged in the tradition of Soshu Masamune.Length: 1 shaku 8 sun 5 bu (56 cm).Features carvings of Fudo Myo-o on the front and plum blossoms with a dragon on the back.Certified as genuine on this day in April, Showa 59 (1984) by the swordsmith Gassan Sadakatsu."Gassan Sadakatsu, known for his exceptional carving skills, is the son of Gassan Sadakatsu mentioned in this inscription.As an accomplished craftsman, Sadakatsu perfected various schools' forging styles and was a master of detailed carvings, as evidenced by this work.Aoi Art’s Comment:This blade by Gassan Sadakatsu features exceptional carvings, with a flaming Fudo on the front and plum blossoms with a dragon on the back.While such carving works by Sadakatsu were occasionally seen in the past, they have become rare and are now treated as valuable items.The box inscription by Gassan Sadakatsu further adds
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Shinshinto · Osaka · around 1926-1989
Fujishiro Jo saku · Tōken Taikan top 60%
6 pieces on the market now
Where Sadakatsu stands among comparable artisans: across all of nihontō, and within tradition, era, and period. The tiers (Foremost · Leading · Major · Notable) weigh official designations from the NBTHK and Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs, together with historical honors of lasting repute such as the Sansaku and Meibutsu-chō.
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Shinshinto · Settsu
27 pieces on the market now
| 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 |
Shōwa to the present: destruction and revival
The twentieth century nearly killed the craft twice: wartime distortion, then the occupation ban. The NBTHK’s founding in 1948 and licensed forging from 1953 rebuilt the sword as an art, crowned by Living National Treasures and the mukansa rank.
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 siteIf you wish to return an item, please notify us within 3 days of receipt. After this period we cannot accept cancellations. Please ship the return to us within 5 business days. Cancellation is conditional on the item being kept in the same condition as at the time of sale, so please handle it with care.