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.
NihontoWatchNihontoWatchKatana in Shirasaya (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token) (NBTHK Tokubetsu Kicho Token) At Aoi Art, we categorize swordsmiths' works into Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku, and Regular Saku. This sword is ranked as Jyojyo Saku in terms of craftsmanship by Gassan Sadakazu. Shape: This is a broad, heavy katana with a weight of 1025 g, giving it a substantial presence. Jigane: The grain is straight (masame-hada) with visible chikei activity. Hamon: The temper line is well-executed with nie crystals, forming a straight pattern (suguha). The boshi (tip temper) is long, flows forward, and returns in a small circle. Features: Naniwa ju Gassan Unryushi Sadakazu, the first generation, was a famous swordsmith from Settsu Province. His real name was Gassan Yagoro, born in February of Tenpo 7 (1836) in Sukoshi village, Omi Province. He was adopted by Gassan Sadayoshi at age seven and began his training around age eleven. By his twenties, he had already mastered the ayasugi-hada grain pattern. Even after the Meiji government's ban on swords in 1876, he continued making swords, and in 1893, his work was displayed and awarded at the Chicago World's Fair. The following year, Emperor Meiji purchased one of his works. In April of 1906, he was appointed as an Imperial Court Artist. He was also renowned for his engraving skills. Sadakazu passed away on July 11, 1918, at the age of eighty-four. His work spans from 1850 (age 15) to 1918, but many swords after the later Meiji years were actually crafted by his son, Gassan Sadakatsu. Aoi Art’s Comment: This piece features beautifully packed masame-hada, which becomes more prominent after polishing. The hamon is bold, especially near the boshi, which shows remarkable activity in the well-forged jigane. The blade is in excellent condition, retaining its original sharpness, and it’s an impressive work, especially due to the striking masame-hada. This work leaves an impression with its skillful execution of the masame pattern. NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token NBTHK Tokubetsu Kicho Token Aoi Art Appraisal Paper with Whole Oshigata
Offered by Aoi Art
7 on the market
As written by the shop
Shinshinto · Settsu · around 1864-1865
Fujishiro Jo saku · Tōken Taikan top 23%
7 pieces on the market now
Where Sadakazu 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 |
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.
A Hozon-certified blade judged to show notably superior workmanship and a better state of preservation. The bar is higher: re-tempered blades and most unsigned Muromachi/Edo works are excluded.
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.
¥2,500,000
Certificate reading — 銘 浪華住月山雲龍子貞一鍛之(刻印) 慶應二丙寅歳三月日