Tachi, Shirasaya

[ Signature ] omote front : 備前国赤崎住今泉俊光造　ura back : 干時皇紀二千六百一年十月吉日

[ Size ]Blade length: 69.7 cm (2 shaku 3 sun 0 bu 0 rin); Curvature 1.2 cm (3 bu 3 rin); Base width: 3.24 cm; Base thickness: 0.70 cm; Tip width: 2.18 cm; Tip thickness: 0.54 cm; 1 mekugi hole; Blade weight: 900 g; Total length of shira-saya: 105 cm

[ Province ] Okayama prefecture

[ Feature ]
Form : Featuring a shinogi-zukuri blade, an iwamune profile, a moderately wide body, ordinary thickness, a deep curvature in the ridge line, a slight difference in width between the base and tip, a slight curvature, and a medium cutting edge.
Nakago : The tang is raw, with file marks sloping downwards; the tip is chestnut-shaped; there is a single mekugi hole.
Jigane : The jigane exhibits a well-defined fine-grained itame-hada, with a thick layer of fine ji-nie and fine ground patterns. 
Hamon : The hamon is a cho-ji midare pattern with long chōji legs that branch frequently; both the ground and the edge are bright and vivid.
Boushi : The hamon cap is straight, curving gently into a small round shape.

[ Highlight ] Toshimitsu Imaizumi was born in Ogino District, Saga Prefecture, in Meiji 31. In Taishō 13, he moved to Akasaki in Kojima District, Okayama Prefecture, where he studied sword forging as a self-taught craftsman. He moved to Osafune Town in Shōwa 19 and established his forge there in Shōwa 30. With the aim of reviving the tradition of Bizen swords, he was designated a Preserver of Important Cultural Properties of Okayama Prefecture in Shōwa 34. At the New Masterpieces of Japanese Swords Exhibition, he received numerous special awards, including the Japan Art Sword Preservation Association Chairman’s Award and the Mainichi Shimbun Award. In Shōwa 45, he was recognised as a ‘Mukan-sa’ swordsmith. Highly regarded as one of the foremost master craftsmen of his time, an exhibition entitled ‘Toshimitsu Imaizumi: Sixty Years of Creating Swords’ was held at the Hayashibara Museum of Art in Okayama City in Heisei 5.

This piece was created in Akasaki when the master was forty-three years old. In addition to the exquisite quality of the jigane, the blade width remains consistent, and the small-patterned cho-ji midare is dignified, drawing the viewer into a sense of tranquillity.

[ Conditions ] This is an old polishing blade; there is slight rust on the habaki base and the tip of the blade, and a single, very small chip on the yokote. There are no noticeable signs of rust or damage, and it can be enjoyed for preservation and appreciation as it is.

[ Attachments ] Habaki(silver, single), shirasaya, bag of shirasaya,、Kurashiki museum paper 倉敷刀剣美術館鑑定書(issued on 4th Oct. Heise 28(2016)) and NBTHK hozon paper 保存刀剣鑑定書(issued on 2nd Feb. Heisei 29(2016))

[ Item number ] A030426 [ Price ] JPY 1,000,000- (shipping and insurance fee are not included in the price)

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