-, 23rd Session — Designated July 1, 1975
, : Masatsune (正恒)
Measurements 66.4 cm, 1.6 cm, 2.7 cm, 1.9 cm, 2.9 cm, 18.1 cm, slight
Description Keijo: , ; somewhat shallow ; . : Dense ; in the upper portion on the there is a slight tendency toward ; adheres, and appears. : with mixed in; adheres well; around the it becomes -like. : Narrow, with at the point; adheres well. : None. : Greatly shortened (), ; ; two ; unsigned.
Artisan school, Masatsune (正恒)
Era Late period to early period
Explanation The term “ school” is a general designation for smiths active from the end of the period through the early period, and among their representative makers is Masatsune. Although this work has been greatly shortened and is now unsigned, the quality of the and leads to an appraisal that it is close to Masatsune of the school.
However, within the group there were many other smiths—such as Tomonari, Kanehira, Sanetsune, Toshitsune, and Yoshikane—and in particular Yoshikane can be seen to produce a manner of work that is also close to that of the present blade.
