Exceptional special-order Gassan Sadakazu katana

[Ray Singer]

Gassan Sadakazu katana

 

Teishitsu Gigeiin (Imperial Court Artisan)
Gassan Sadakazu at the Age of 79 (Kao).
Dated Taisho 3, 8th month.
Forged for use and protection of Kojima Hakutaro.

 

Jihada: ko-itame 
Hamon : choji-midare 
Nagasa: 63.25cm
Motohaba: 24mm
Kasane: 6mm
Mounting: shirasaya and gold foiled habaki.

 

An exceptional sword by the well known smith done in Bizen Tradition. Sadakazu was born in 1836 in Omi province and was adopted when he was 7 by Gassan Sadayoshi after his father passed away. In 1906 he was appointed Imperial Court Artisan. He passed away in 1918 at the age of 84. This sword made in 1913 was a late example from his long career. 

 

Gassan Sadakazu is one of the highest ranked sword smiths of the 19th/20th centuries. Born in 1836, Sadakazu began sword- aking lessons at age 11 and produced swords of superior quality until his death in 1918 at 84 years of age. He gained the title of Imperial Arts and Crafts Expert and was sword maker to the emperor. Produced in the style of a Bizen tachi, this blade is flawless, showing extremely tight ko-itame hada. The hamon is a wonderfully active and flowing choji. The blade has been well cared and remains very healthy. The blade is in an older polish is over 40 years old but is still clear and crisp. It comes in a high quality shirasaya with sayagaki. The nakago is skillfully engraved with the date of manufacture (1914) and states that Sadakazu was an Imperial Court Artisan and was 79 years old when he made this sword. The information on the tang also states that this sword was a custom order and made for Kojima Hakutaro.

 

$12,500 + shipping & PayPal.