- Blade length: 73.0 cm - Curvature: 1.4 cm - Mekugi hole: 1 - Motohaba: 33.7 mm - Motokasane: 7.3 mm - Sakihaba: 23.7 mm - Sakikasane: 5.4 mm - Weight: 960 g(blade only)/1,210 g(without Saya) - Signature: Noshu ju Kanehisa saku(front)/Heisei Sanjunen Haru(back) - Era: Modern - Structure: Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune - Jigane: Itame - Hamon: Notare - Boshi: Notarete Haitte Komaru ni Kaeru - Nakago: Ubu - Koshirae: Cotton-wrapped Tsuka with brown matte finish Saya - Original Registration No.: Gifu 088172 This magnificent Japanese sword was crafted in 2018 by Kanehisa, a swordsmith residing in Seki City, Gifu Prefecture. The blade is in exceptionally good condition, free from any flaws such as kitai defects, rust, or chips, presenting a dignified and imposing finish. The jigane features a well-packed itame grain pattern with a mirror-like finish. The hamon, based on a notare pattern, shows occasional kochoji and also displays ashi-like hataraki. This blade was originally crafted for practical use in draw and iaido practice, making it highly functional. Yet, it simultaneously possesses the quintessential beauty of a katana, making it equally suitable for actual use or as a piece for appreciation. The nakago is inscribed with “Noshu Ju Kanehisa Saku” on the sashimote side and “Heisei Sanjuunen Haru” on the sashiura side. Kanehisa, born in 1950 and whose real name is Yoshida Ken, apprenticed under his father, the first Masaki, a swordsmith, in 1973, learning the techniques of sword making and repair. After Masaaki passed away in 1979, he mastered sword forging under his uncle, Kanemasa, also a swordsmith, and boasts numerous awards from competitions like the New Masterpiece Sword Exhibition. He specialized in creating sturdy, practical swords like Mino-den and Soshu-den, striving to preserve traditional Japanese sword forging techniques. He passed away in 2022 at the age of 72. This sword was forged in 2018, four years before his passing, representing a mature and powerful work from his later years. The fittings feature pure cotton tsuka-ito and sageo, with the tsuka-maki wrapping meticulously finished by artisans in Kyoto's Nishijin district. The iron tsuba features a design called Kasuga, evoking the rugged spirit of the samurai. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This sword will generally be shipped from Japan by air freight(UPS or EMS). If air shipment to the winning bidder's country is not possible, it will be shipped by sea freight. In Belgium, private sales of Japanese swords are prohibited by law, so bids from Belgium are not permitted.