{"product_id":"authentic-japanese-katana-katana-kazuyoshi-nbsk-shinsakuto-certificate-tozando","title":"Authentic Japanese Sword - Katana - Kazuyoshi - NBSK Shinsakuto Certificate | Tozando","description":"\u003ch2\u003eJapanese Katana by the contemporary smith Kazuyoshi (和吉) of Rikuchū (Miyako, Iwate), signed and dated Reiwa 4 (October 2022) — modern (gendaitō) — a robust blade with a bō-hi — complete with a dragonfly-themed koshirae\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSigned-and-dated katana by Kazuyoshi (real name Tsuji Kazuhiro), pupil of the master Yasumoto Yoshimitsu · densely forged itame with clear ko-nie · a gentle notare-with-gunome temper, bright and dynamic · in a refined leather-wrapped mounting with a dragonfly (\"victory insect\") theme · brand-new, as-made\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA sword in which the assured traditional technique of the Yasumoto Yoshimitsu school and a keen modern skill are fused. Beyond the fine quality of the blade — set off by a splendid, well-balanced \u003cem\u003ebō-hi\u003c\/em\u003e — the harmony with its mounting is beautiful: a \u003cem\u003etsuba\u003c\/em\u003e in a dragonfly design and a refined leather-wrapped hilt. It is a highly satisfying piece for both practical use and appreciation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe smith — Wakichi\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWakichi (real name Tsuji Kazuhiro), based in Miyako in Rikuchū province (present-day Iwate), trained rigorously under the master smith \u003cem\u003eYasumoto Yoshimitsu\u003c\/em\u003e, legitimately inheriting the traditional forging technique carried down from the old-sword (\u003cem\u003ekotō\u003c\/em\u003e) period and its dignified formative beauty. Not content to rest on the skill handed down from his teacher, he has devoted himself earnestly to swordmaking; his outstanding ability is highly regarded in the modern sword world, and he has built a firm record of numerous selections and awards at the Shinsaku Meitō-ten (New Swords Exhibition) and other exhibitions. Fusing the sure traditional methods of the Yasumoto school with his own high aesthetic, he continues to produce works of a dignity and overwhelming presence that approach the classic masterpieces of the Bizen and Sōshū traditions — one of the representative masters of the contemporary sword world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWorkmanship and condition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cem\u003ejigane\u003c\/em\u003e is a densely forged \u003cem\u003eitame\u003c\/em\u003e, smoothly packed, showing a beautiful skin in which the quality of the forging and the clarity of the steel stand out. Clear \u003cem\u003eko-nie\u003c\/em\u003e gather evenly across the whole surface, giving a deep, transparent luster and a sturdy beauty as the light shifts. The \u003cem\u003ehamon\u003c\/em\u003e is a fine \u003cem\u003emidare\u003c\/em\u003e: a leisurely \u003cem\u003enotare\u003c\/em\u003e mixed with \u003cem\u003egunome\u003c\/em\u003e, with fine \u003cem\u003eko-nie\u003c\/em\u003e gathering bright and clear along the temper edge. Along the rising and falling line of the temper, \u003cem\u003enie\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003enioi\u003c\/em\u003e are densely worked, showing a dynamic, gorgeous expression under the light — a powerful finish, executed with Wakichi's high hardening skill, that recalls the traditions of Sōshū-den and Bizen-den. As a brand-new work, fresh from the forge, it is in perfect, as-made condition, with no flaw or rust of any kind.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe koshirae\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA mounting built on the theme of the \u003cem\u003edragonfly\u003c\/em\u003e (\u003cem\u003etonbo\u003c\/em\u003e), an emblem of martial honor, pursuing both refined aesthetics and practical function. Because the dragonfly only ever advances and never retreats, it was called the \"victory insect\" (\u003cem\u003ekatsumushi\u003c\/em\u003e) and beloved of the samurai as a symbol of never turning back. A black stone-grain lacquer (\u003cem\u003ekuro-ishime-nuri\u003c\/em\u003e) \u003cem\u003esaya\u003c\/em\u003e gives off a quiet dignity, while a \u003cem\u003etsuba\u003c\/em\u003e arranged with dragonflies and wave crests adds a sense of movement. The hilt — black \u003cem\u003esame\u003c\/em\u003e (ray skin) bound in a \u003cem\u003emoro-tsumami-maki\u003c\/em\u003e wrap with brown cowhide backing cord — offers an excellent grip, and gold dragonfly \u003cem\u003emenuki\u003c\/em\u003e glint elegantly between the wraps. With a solid-silver \u003cem\u003ehabaki\u003c\/em\u003e and a gold-brown \u003cem\u003esageo\u003c\/em\u003e in harmony, it is a supreme piece in which traditional craft and dignified bearing are fused.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA pristine, freshly made katana by Wakichi of Rikuchū — its densely forged itame ground and bright, dynamic notare-gunome temper carried on a robust blade with a bō-hi, and completed by a handsome dragonfly-themed koshirae. A first-rank modern work, equally rewarding to wield and to appreciate, ready to enjoy exactly as it left the forge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Katana (shinogi-zukuri), with a bō-hi; modern (gendaitō)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSignature (mei):\u003c\/strong\u003e front — Rikuchū no Kuni Miyako-jū Wakichi kore o tsukuru (陸中国宮古住和吉作之); reverse — Reiwa mizunoe-tora year, kannazuki (10th month), a lucky day (令和壬寅歳神無月吉日, October 2022)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCertification:\u003c\/strong\u003e none (registration only)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSmith:\u003c\/strong\u003e Wakichi (real name Tsuji Kazuhiro) — Miyako, Rikuchū (Iwate); pupil of Yasumoto Yoshimitsu\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eJigane:\u003c\/strong\u003e densely forged, smoothly packed itame with clear ko-nie\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHamon:\u003c\/strong\u003e leisurely notare mixed with gunome; bright, clear ko-nie\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlade length (nagasa):\u003c\/strong\u003e 74.6 cm \/ 29.37 in (about 2 shaku 4 sun 6 bu)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCurvature (sori):\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.8 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWidth at base (motohaba):\u003c\/strong\u003e 32.7 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThickness at base (motokasane):\u003c\/strong\u003e 8 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWidth at tip (sakihaba):\u003c\/strong\u003e 21.3 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThickness at tip (sakikasane):\u003c\/strong\u003e 6 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePeg-holes (mekugi-ana):\u003c\/strong\u003e 1\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight (blade only):\u003c\/strong\u003e 800 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight (without scabbard):\u003c\/strong\u003e 1,130 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e brand-new, as-made; no flaws or rust\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMounting:\u003c\/strong\u003e full koshirae — black stone-grain lacquer (kuro-ishime) saya, iron tsuba with dragonfly-and-wave design, black same hilt in moro-tsumami-maki with brown cowhide cord, gold dragonfly menuki, solid-silver habaki, gold-brown sageo\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTorokushō (Japanese registration) No.:\u003c\/strong\u003e Iwate 34323\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Tozando Katana Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53752709415275,"sku":"372-ST999-Iwate34323","price":1200000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0491\/2178\/8069\/files\/iwate34323_kazuyoshi_1.jpg?v=1787296045","url":"https:\/\/japanesesword.net\/products\/authentic-japanese-katana-katana-kazuyoshi-nbsk-shinsakuto-certificate-tozando","provider":"Tozando Katana Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}