-, 23rd Session — Designated July 1, 1975
, : Masahiro (正広)
Measurements 58.6 cm, 2.0 cm, 2.7 cm, 1.75 cm, 3.2 cm, 12.9 cm, slight
Description Keijō: , ; strong ; . : with abundant . : mixed with great ; with developing into an overall -like manner; adheres. : , turning back with a tendency. : On the , a and “grass” () ; on the , a , -sho, and . : with slight ; tip ; ; two ; on the , a five-character signature is present below the toward the .
Artisan Masahiro
Era period, circa Hotoku–Kōshō (c. 1449–1455)
Explanation This is a work by Masahiro. Masahiro is a line that continued for four or five generations, beginning with the who produced works dated to the Sadaharu era (1362–1368), and extending to the end of the period. Although the distinctions among the successive generations are not clearly established, this is appraised as being approximately from around the Hotoku–Kōshō years.
The workmanship of both and is excellent, and the carvings are also splendid; it is a quintessential example of a -made blade of the period.
