It is getting harder to encounter with a Yasukuni-blade for sale nowadays due to strong demand from increasing number of Yasukuni-blade collectors. Among the Yasukuni-blades, this sword must be a very special one, because it was made by one of the three leading sword smiths, Yasunori (often called Yasutoku to discern from his disciple, Yasunori, though the Kanji character is different).
This Tachi style sword is excellent quality, beautiful Koitame jihada, breathtaking nice wide Suguha-base Choji temper line with lots of Ashi action within the temper, and very long, 70.2cm or 27.64 inches, cutting edge, compared to other Showa Gendai blades. It has a deep curvature, following the Bizen Koto style.
The Nakago shape is rather unique Kijimomo style, old koto Tachi fashion, and has a signature of two character, 靖徳、Yasunori, and dated 昭和十一年十一月吉日 Lucky Day of November, 11th Year of Showa, 1936.
This sword is in beautiful new polish, spotless, stored in a nice Honoki Shirasaya, with an original silver Tachi style Habaki.
According to Modern Japanese Swordsmiths, 1868 – 1945, by John Scott Slough, Yasunori is a High to Superior Grade Gendaito smith, and won the 1941 Exhibition Special Honor Noted Seat. The following is a quote of his background from the same book, page 188.
“His real name is Kajiyama Tokutaro, and he was born in Hiroshima prefecture on February 16, 1881. He studied under his father 1st generation Kajiyama Ujihisa (aka Tomohira), and also became a student of Yokoyama Sukeyoshi. In July, 1933, he received an appointment as a master swordsmith for the Nihonto Tanren Kai and was given the Tosho name of Yasunori. He passed away on January 8, 1957.”
This sword is surely one of the best Gendai blades of early Showa era, so you should not miss this great opportunity.
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