Sukesada is such a famous swordsmith name that it is no exaggeration to say that it is the first representative of Bizen Osafune, and the last Sukesada's work has just arrived.

The preservation condition of the sword is very clean and has zero defects such as flaws, rust, or chips, as it was made in the Taisho era. The jigane is itame and the overall impression of the hada is very soft. The hamon is irregularly lined with slightly sloping gunome and has a hakomidare style in places. The entire hamon is niedeki with Ashi. On the nakago, the words “Bizen Osafune Tomonari Rokujudai Mago Yokoyama Senryushi Sukesada” are engraved on the omote side. On the reverse side is engraved “Taisho Gonen Sangatsu Kichijitsu Momoyama Nogi Jinja Shinzen ni oite Kore wo Kitaeru. This means “In March 1916, this sword was forged in the precincts of Nogijinja Shrine in the Momoyama region of Kyoto, in front of god,” which makes it a very special piece.

Incidentally, 1916 is the year that this Nogi Shrine was founded, so it is thought that this sword was dedicated as a celebration of its founding. Furthermore, on the shirasaya is a sayagaki by Sato Kanzan stating that this work is authentic. The Nogi Shrine is dedicated to Nogi Maresuke, an army general who was martyred on the occasion of the death of Emperor Meiji.

Considering not only the state of preservation and the artist of this work, but also its historical background, in August 2024, the Society for Preservation of Japanese Art Swords recognized it as a Tokubetsu Hozon and issued a certificate of authenticity for it as a special sword among swords with the certification.

In addition to the shirasaya, the koshirae is equipped with an uchigatana. The koshirae is well preserved, and the tsuba is engraved with the inscription Efu Ju Akao Yoshitsugu. Akao Yoshitsugu was a sword fittings craftsman active in the Edo period, and his work is valuable enough on its own.

We highly recommend this item to those who are looking for the very special Japanese sword.

• Blade length: 64.8 cm
• Curvature: 1.8 cm
• Number of Mekugi hole: 1
• Sakihaba: 18.6 mm
• Sakikasane: 5.3 mm
• Motohaba: 27.1 mm
• Motokasane: 6.9 mm
• Signature: Bizen Osafune Tomonari Rokujudai Mago Yokoyama Senryushi Sukesada(front), Taisho Gonen Sangatsu Kichijitsu Momoyama Nogi Jinja Shinzen ni oite Kore wo Kitaeru(back)
• Era: Gendai
• Structure: Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune
• Jigane: Itame
• Hamon: Gunome
• Boshi: Midarekomi
• Weight: 610 g(blade only)/920 g(without Saya)
• Nakago: Ubu
  
• Koshirae: White silk wrapped Tsuka with Kuro-ro lacquered Saya, Shirasaya
• Original Registration No.: Hyogo 39651

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