-, 23rd Session — Designated July 1, 1975
, : Kazusa no jūnin Masanao (上総国住人正直)
by Tai (泰)
Measurements 69.4 cm, 4.0 cm, 3.1 cm, 2.35 cm, 5.9 cm, 18.55 cm, 0.15 cm
Description Keijō: , ; somewhat wide ; shallow ; . : ; toward the it flows and shows a -like tendency; attaches. : Large mixed with ; thick enter; the is abundant; runs frequently, and appear. : with a pointed tendency, turning back; toward the tip it becomes . : None. : ; ; ; one . On the , from the center slightly toward the , there is a long signature cut with a thick chisel.
Artisan Masanao
Era Late period ()
Explanation Masanao was originally from Kazusa Province, and is said also to have lived in . It is related that, upon the recommendation of Saitō Masamaro, he entered the school of Kiyomaro; moreover, works made in bearing a date of Ka’ei 7 can be seen.
His workmanship excels in the manner for which the Kiyomaro lineage is known—namely, an that flows toward the with attached; a mixed with pointed elements; prominent ; and plentiful with and . This blade clearly displays those characteristic features, and may be regarded as an excellent piece among Masanao’s works.
