Katana: Tegarayama Kai Kami Masashige
2017/01/16
Katana in Koshirae (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon paper) (consignment sale)
Signature : Tegarayama Kai Kami Masashige
Bunka 8 Nen 2 Gatsuhi.
(February A.D. 1811)
(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijo saku, Jojo saku, Jo saku and regular saku)
This sword belongs to Jojo saku ranking.
The blade is polished.
Habaki : Gold foiled double Habaki.
Blade length : 86.0 cm or 33.9 inches.
Sori : 2.1 cm or 0.83 inches.
Mekugi : 1
Width at the Hamachi : 3.15 cm or 1.24 inches.
Width at the Kissaki : 2.12 cm or 0.83 inches.
Kasane : 0.67 cm or 0.26 inches.
Era : Late Edo period.
Shape : The blade is very long 33.9 inches, wide and thick with suitable curve and long Kissaki.
Jigane : Koitame Hada and Masame Hada mixed with Jinie attach Muji style nice clean Jigane.
Hamon : Niedeki Suguha with Uchinoke and round style Boshi.
Special feauture : Tegarayama Masashige is a son of the 3rd generation Ujishige. He has born at Horeki 10th (1760) and succeeded 4th generation.
He got the tytle ‘Kai Kami’ at Kyowa 3rd(1803).
His signature is related to Banshu Tegarayama where he use to live.
He became a student of the Suishinshi Masahide and learned a lot especially Doranba Hamon and also old Koto style blades.
He was hired by Daimyo Matsudaira Ecchu Kami with 500 Kokudaka.
(‘Koku’ is a Japanese unit of volume, equal to ten cubic Shaku in rice field.)
I think this blade was forged to dedicate to Shrine as a Hono-To.
The blade is very long though not so heavy. This blade make us imagine the Katana Bizen Osafune Nagamitsu called ‘Monohoshizao’ used by Sasaki Kojiro.
Koshirae Fittings matches to this sort of blade are very precious.
We recommend this sword for a tall person having a long arms.
If you feel you need Shirasaya for this blade, please ask for the price.
Very few Hike can see on nearby Habaki though the sword should be good for Iai practice for tall person.
Koshirae :
Tsuba : Wheel engraved openwork on round shape Shakudo Tsuba. I think this work has been done by one of Akao school craftsmen.
Fuchi-Kashira : Peony flowers are carved with gold color on iron plate.
Saya : Black Ishimeji Saya.
Menuki : Unusual design Hinawaju (Japanese matchlock gun) and bow with arrow.
NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon paper.
Aoi Art estimation paper : whole Oshigata.
price : JPY ¥900,000-.
