This is an unsigned katana in very good condition, and the Society for Preservation of Japanese Art Swords recognized it as the work of Asu Sukeyoshi in 1976 and issued a certificate of authenticity.

Sukeyoshi was a swordsmith active from the end of the Edo period to the Meiji period, and was born in Awa-no-kuni (present Tokushima Prefecture). His master was Yokoyama Sukenaga, a swordsmith from Osafune in Bizen Province (present-day eastern Okayama Prefecture). The sword he made had a reputation for cutting well, and was famous as the favorite sword of Isami Kondo, the head of the Shinsengumi, and was the sword he shared with until the end. There is an episode that when Isami Kondo was beheaded and his head was exposed on Sanjogawara, Sukeyoshi's sword was still next to his head. Sukeyoshi later served in the Hachisuka family, lords of the Tokushima domain in Awa province.

This sword is in relatively good condition, with no particular flaws, dents, or spills. The well-packed itame hada has chikei peeking through in places. The hamon of choji is very dynamic with a tadpole shape in places. Around the yakidashi you can also see aranie. The edge of the ha is tightened well, and the boshi is nakamaru. There is a cloudy spot of about 5 mm around the shinogikado about 7 cm from the cutting edge on the sashiomote side. The curvature of the blade is shallow and typical of Japanese swords of the end of the Edo period. The tsuba, menuki, and fuchi kashira are pieces from that period.

Why not add a Japanese sword from a turbulent period when Japan was about to undergo major changes to your collection?

• Blade length: 69.6 cm
• Curvature: 1.0 cm
• Number of Mekugi hole: 1
• Sakihaba: 21.6 mm
• Sakikasane: 4.7 mm
• Motohaba: 30.5 mm
• Motokasane: 7.0 mm
• Signature: No signature
• Era: Shinshinto
• Structure: Shinogi-zukuri Iori-mune
• Jitetsu: Itame
• Hamon: Kawazuko Choji
• Nakago: Ubu
• Weight: 980 g(without Saya)
• Koshirae: Tetsukon wn silk tsuka wrap with black gloss finish saya
• Original Registration No.: Akita 23389