Perry’s arrival in 1853 unraveled the Tokugawa peace and created the first mass demand for working swords in two centuries. Kiyomaro, called the Masamune of Yotsuya, died on its eve; Munetsugu and Yukihide carried the boom to the end.
This blade is attributed to the work of Gassan Sadayoshi(月山貞吉) by NTHK, which authenticated this blade. According to their appraisal, the blade was made in the Tenpo era(Late Edo period:1831-1845), and the sword was initially unsigned(Ubu Mumei:生ぶ無銘). Gassan Sadayoshi’s real name is Gassan Yahachiro. He was born in Dewakoku(Yamagata prefecture today) in 1781. In his early career, he learned sword forging technique from his father, Okuyama Yasaburo Sadachika(山弥三郎貞近), who is said to have been a descendant of O-Shu Gassan school. When Sadayoshi became about 20 years old, he went to Edo city and worked for Suishinshi Masahide as an apprentice. Sushinshi Masahide is known as one of the most skilled and famous swordsmiths at the end of the Edo period(150-200 years ago). After ten years of apprenticeship under Masahide, Sadayoshi moved to Osaka in 1833 when he was 30 years old. He founded Osaka Gassan school there and improved his sword-forging technique even more. Gassan school had been almost disappeared in the early-mid Edo period in the mainstream of Japanese history before Sadayoshi came along, it flourished again because of his effort. Sadayoshi adopted a son from Tsukamoto family and named him Sadakazu, who later became one of the most high-regarded swordsmiths in the post Samurai period(Meiji era). Father and son spent many years researching traditional Gassan style swords and finally achieved to make Ayasugihada, the signature design of Gassan school. Ayasguhihada looks undulating grain pattern in the Jihada, which resembles a Japanese cedar grain. Gassan Sadayoshi died at the age of 71 in the third year of the Meiji era(1870). His son, Sadakazu, preserved the tradition of Gassan, and he passed it down to Sadakatsu. The Gassan school has been running for the 6th generation. The current Gassan alive is Gassan Kazutoshi, and his son is Gassan Sadanobu. They still keep forging traditional Japanese swords in Nara prefecture. We are confident you will appreciate this gorgeous long blade with heavy curvature. When you take a closer look at the blade, you can easily see the beautiful Ayasugi Hada. Curvature(Sori) For more detailed measurement of the blade/sword mounting Other details Nakago Nakago is the hilt of the Japanese sword. Authentication Paper NTHK, also known as NPO Nihon Touken Hozon Kai, is the oldest organization for sword authentication of Japanese swords in modern times. It was established in 1889 during the post-Samurai era. They authenticated the blade on Sep 20th in the second year of Reiwa (2020).The purchaser will receive this original certificate as well.
Offered by Samurai Museum
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Shinshinto · Settsu · around 1830-1863
Fujishiro Jo saku · Tōken Taikan top 49%
1 piece on the market now
Shinshinto · Settsu
28 pieces on the market now
| Smith | Era | Designated |
|---|---|---|
| Sadaharu貞晴 | 1865-1868 | 0 |
| Sadayoshi貞吉 | 1926-1989 | 0 |
| Yoshiaki吉明 | 1844-1848 | 0 |
| Naonobu直信 | 1854-1860 | 0 |
| Sadayoshi貞吉 | 1830-1863 | 0 |
Bakumatsu: the last war market
Perry’s arrival in 1853 unraveled the Tokugawa peace and created the first mass demand for working swords in two centuries. Kiyomaro, called the Masamune of Yotsuya, died on its eve; Munetsugu and Yukihide carried the boom to the end.
The NTHK’s principal certificate, issued for a blade of considerable quality. It confirms a genuine signature, or, for an unsigned (mumei) work, records the judges’ attribution to a smith or school. The paper carries a detailed worksheet with a numerical point score.
The NTHK (Nihon Tōken Hozon Kai, the Society for the Preservation of the Japanese Sword) is the oldest of Japan’s sword-appraisal bodies, founded in 1910, decades before the NBTHK. After the death of its long-serving head it divided into two successor societies, the NTHK and the NTHK-NPO, both of which continue to hold shinsa. NTHK certificates are known for a detailed worksheet that records a numerical point score alongside the judges’ written opinion, and the society is especially respected for its attribution of unsigned (mumei) work.
Returns/exchanges limited to defects caused by shipping (except willful misconduct or gross negligence by the company); customers must contact within 72 hours of receiving the product.