Description

Weight (toshin only): 725g It has arrived, it has arrived—a work by the master smith of Tosa, Toshihide. The Tosa (Kochi Prefecture) swordsmith Kariya Toshihide was born Kariya Chuji; he also used the go Shikoushi. In the late Edo period, Kansei 12 (1800) (226 years ago), he went to Edo and entered the school of the Bakumatsu master Suishinshi Masahide. Having mastered the craft, in Bunka 2 (1805) (221 years ago), he was granted permission by his teacher to return to Tosa. Considering that staying in Edo for five long years to study under Suishinshi Masahide would have incurred significant expenses, it is likely that Toshihide was an okakae-kaji (retained smith) of the Tosa Clan who entered the school by clan order. This katana was made in the Bakumatsu era, Bunzeiki 6 (1823) (203 years ago). This was the year the German physician Siebold arrived in Japan at age 27 as a medical officer for the Dutch trading post at Dejima, Nagasaki. In Nagasaki, Siebold introduced Western medicine and natural history to Japan, while systematically recording Japanese nature and society to introduce them to Europe. He opened the private school Narutaki-juku in the suburbs of Nagasaki, teaching the latest Western medicine of the time, including human anatomy, surgery, and obstetrics. From here, many Ranpou-i (doctors of Western medicine) who supported modern Japanese medicine, such as Takano Choei and Ninomiya Keisaku, were raised, greatly raising the standard of Western medicine in the late Edo period. Siebold was eventually expelled by the Shogunate for attempting to take out prohibited maps of Japan, but was later pardoned and returned to Japan again. At the time this katana was produced, Japan was still enjoying days of peace with no demand for swords for actual combat. This sword was likely a special order from a high-ranking samurai of the financially wealthy Tosa Clan. The sugata shows a wide moto-mihaba and saki-mihaba with an extended kissaki, presenting a truly sword-like appearance. The jigane is a well-tightened itame-hada with chikei appearing in the ji, forged into a bright, high-quality steel. The hamon is nioi-deki with konie, a suguha-style blade fired brightly with small ko-ashi appearing within the ha, creating an elegant and magnificent edge. This sword was recently entrusted to us by an old family who has cherished it for generations, with the request: "We have grown old, so please pass this on at a low price to someone who will treasure it." Because there are some faint spots of rust that are hard to see, we are offering it at a specially discounted price. It will surely pass for Tokubetsu Hozon Token immediately. Please enjoy it.