Kantei

NH-0423 Rank 102

Tokiyoshi

Shintō katana of the Shimosaka school of Echizen, signed and with an ubu nakago pierced by a single mekugi-ana, accompanied by a koshirae with green-lacquered saya.

Shintō (1596-1780)Shintō period (1596–1780)越前NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon

Silhouette of the blade to scale, aligned at the machi

Photographs by the seller at origin.

Description

Katana by Tokiyoshi, of the Shimosaka school of Echizen province. The signature on the nakago reads Chikuzen jū Shimosaka Sakubei Tokiyoshi; the original seller suggests that the smith, a native of Fukui in Echizen, was called to Chikuzen, which would account for that residence being cut into the tang. The blade measures 63.7 cm nagasa with 1.7 cm sori. The original seller describes the hamon as sanbonsugi near the machi turning to suguha over some two thirds of the edge, in ko-nie; the photographs show that change of temper on a polish in good order. The nakago is declared ubu and the photographs bear this out: continuous shape and yasurime, a single mekugi-ana and a complete signature. The mounting brings together a green-lacquered saya, a tsuka wrapped in blue-green ito over gold-lacquered same, menuki, decorated fuchi-kashira and an iron tsuba with gold inlay. The original listing declares NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon papers.

Strong points

  • Ubu nakago with a complete signature and a single mekugi-ana, confirmed in photographs of both faces.
  • Complete koshirae in the photographs: green-lacquered saya, tsuka wrapped over gold-lacquered same and an iron tsuba with gold inlay.
  • Unusual hamon: sanbonsugi near the machi giving way to suguha, according to the original seller.
  • Signed work of the Shimosaka school of Echizen, with declared Tokubetsu Hozon papers.

Points to bear in mind

  • The original seller says nothing about the blade's state of preservation, and the photographs are not enough to rule out flaws.
  • The mounting is attested only by the photographs: the original seller neither dates it nor describes its fittings.
  • The sageo appears to be a recent replacement, by contrast with the wear of the saya lacquer and of the wrap.
  • In the photograph of the certificate the inscribed name does not match the signature on the nakago; the origami should be verified before any purchase.

Score breakdown

53.9/100

The score shares out 100 points: Signature and date 18 · Tang 22 · Mounting 18 · Declared condition 20 · Blade 8 · Shirasaya 4 · Price 10. It is computed from the record, not from an opinion. The mounting starts from what is known of its period, adds what vouches for it (its own NBTHK paper, a signed fitting, a crest) and subtracts what has been restored (saya, ito, same, habaki or sageo).

  1. Signature and date 10 of 18 Signed, with no engraved date
  2. Tang 22 of 22 Tang intact according to the seller at origin
  3. Mounting -3 of 18 Mounting documented only in the photographs · restored: new sageo
  4. Declared condition 11 of 20 Condition not declared
  5. Blade 4 of 8 63.7 cm: outside the usable range
  6. Shirasaya 0 of 4 No shirasaya: one will have to be made
  7. Price 9.9 of 10 Rank 2 of 139 by price, from the most affordable to the dearest