Mizuta Kunishige with Cutting Test

S0344

SOLD

An exceptional wakizashi by Yogoro Kunishige with a two body cutting test by Yoshikiyo.  Signed, Bitchu Kuni Mizuta Ju Kunishige / Fukai Yabuemon no Jo Yoshikiyo Shoji  /  Futatsu Do Setsudan.  Hawatare: 1 shaku 9 sun 3 bu (58.48 cm / 23.25").   Motohaba: 3.53 cm.  Sakihaba:  3.05 cm.  Kasane: 7.2 mm.  Shinogizukure, iroi mune, wide mihaba with high shinogi, o-kissaki, futatsubi, ubu, one mekugiana.   O-midare, nie deki, kinsuji, sunagashi, inazuma, yubashiri, hataraki, nado.  The hamon pattern continues into the kissaki and ends in komaru with hakikaki.  The jigane is a moist itame nagare, ji nie, chikei, nado.   Sayagaki by Tanobe Michihiro.  Niju gold foil habaki inscribed,  Issai Shujou, a Buddhist reference to all the life in the world.  Rated in Nihon Toko Jiten - Shinto Hen as Jojo saku, with a sharpness rating of Ryowazamono.

Sayagaki:  Bitchû no Kuni Mizuta-jû Kunishige

The blade bears an eight character-signature, the inscription that it was owned by Fukai Kazu’emon no Jô Yoshikiyo, and that a cutting test was performed with it, cutting through two bodies. It is of a powerful shape and shows a kitae in masame and a very nie-laden sudareba-like hardening. It is not only a masterwork but an important reference for understanding the variety of workmanships of this smith. Blade length ~ 57.9 cm

Written by Tanzan Hendô [Tanobe Michihiro] in January of the year of the dragon (2012) of this era + kaô 

He worked around Kan'ei (1624 - 1644).  He was the last descendant of Aoe Tametsugu, and the best of the Mizuta tosho.  His work style of o-midare ara nie tsuki, with muneyaki, thus the style of Mizuta Soshu was born.   I do not know if this has been submitted in the past, but I would be tempted to seek a Juyo ranking.                                                                            

Issai                                                         Shujou.

It comes from Buddhism:  All the life in the world. 

Bitchu Mizuta Ju Kunishige  

Fukai Yabuemon no Jo Yoshikiyo Shoji  Futatsu Do Setsudan

                                                                                                            These are NOT chips.  Just the black fabric.

Tight itame nagare with chikei                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

                                             Long Inazuma                                               Chikei                                                                                                                            Ara Nie

                                                                                    Nihon Toko Jiten - Shinto Hen                                                                                      Jojo saku & Ryuwazamono

Shinto Taikan