A Sukesada wakizashi (with 1 & 2 body cutting test)

Nicknamed- “Unrivalled sword for the end of days”

dated: Koto period, (Tenbun 18) 1549 AD

NBTHK Hozon

 

 

Swordsmith: Bishū Osafune Sukesada saku (備州⻑船祐定作)

Blade nicknamed: Masse-musōno ken (末世無双之剣) “Unrivalled sword for the end of days”

Location: Bizen            

Approx measurements: Nagasa (cutting edge length): 63.9 cm   Sori (curvature): 2.3 cm   Motohaba (width):  ~  cm   

Jigane: Itame                    

Hamon: Gunome-chōji in ko-nie-deki that features koshi no hiraita elements and plenty of ashi.

Nakago: Ubu, two mekugi-ana   

Signature: katana, mei;  Bishū Osafune Sukesada saku (備州⻑船祐定作) “Made by Osafune Sukesada from Bizen province”

  Tenbun jūachinen nigatsu hi (天⽂⼗⼋年⼆⽉⽇‒“A day in the second month Tenbun 18 (1549)”

Cutting test: Kesa-otoshi ichi no dō kewaki-otoshi kono ha nite futatsu-dō otoshi

(袈裟落⼀ノ胴⽑脇落其刃ニ⽽⼆ッ胴落) “This blade cut through one body with the kesagiri cut and through each two bodies with the ichinodō and kewaki (wakige) cuts”

  Masse-musōno ken (末世無双之剣) “Unrivalled sword for the end of days”

Certificate: NBTHK Hozon (a sword Worthy of Conservation by the Society for the Preservation of the Japan Art Sword)

 

 

Ratings: 

Fujishiro's reference:  Jo Saku (Superior made)

 

Sharpness rating: Kokan Kaji Biko by Yamada Asaemon- rated as O-Wazamono.

  Included: Shirasaya, carry bag

 

Shibata Mitsuo sensei letters & Translation

 

katana, mei: Bishū Osafune Sukesada saku

On a day of the second month Tenbun 18 (1549)

Kinzōgan-mei which states that the blade cut through a body with the kesagiri cut and

through each two bodies with the ichinodō and kewaki (wakige) cuts and that it is

therefore nicknamed Masse-musō no ken (末世無双之剣, lit. “unrivalled sword for the end of days”)

Shinogi-zukuri, blade length 63.9 cm, sori 2.3 cm. The blade is of a truly nice sugata. Its jigane is

a beautiful itame and the hamon is a gunome-chōji in ko-nie-deki that features koshi no hiraita

elements and plenty of ashi.

Apart from that, the kinzōgan-mei testifies to its magnificent cutting ability which earned it its

nickname “unrivalled sword for the end of days.” Many warlords were wearing swords like this at

that time and as it was taken care of so well, it can be assumed that it was later handed down

within a major daimyō lineage. An excellent Sukesada blade.

January 1989, year of the snake.

Yours sincerely, Shiba Zenkidō.

NBTHK Hozon certificate

Certificate translation

KANTEI-SHO (鑑定書) - APPRAISAL

No 320401

katana, signed: Bishū Osafune Sukesada saku (備州⻑船祐定作) ‒“Made by Osafune Sukesada from Bizen province”

Tenbun jūachinen nigatsu hi (天⽂⼗⼋年⼆⽉⽇‒ “A day in the second month Tenbun 18 (1549)”

kinzōgan-mei: Kesa-otoshi ichi no dō kewaki-otoshi kono ha nite futatsu-dō otoshi

(袈裟落⼀ノ胴⽑脇落其刃ニ⽽⼆ッ胴落) ‒“This blade cut through one body with the kesagiri cut and through each two bodies with the ichinodō

and kewaki (wakige) cuts” Masse-musōno ken (末世無双之剣) ‒“Unrivalled sword for the end of days”

nagasa ~ 63.9 cm

According to the result of the shinsa committee of our society, we judge this work as authentic

and rank it as hozon-tōken.

February 1, 1989

[Foundation] Nihon Bijutsu Tōken Hozon Kyōkai, NBTHK (⽇本美術⼑劍保存協會)


 

 

 

 

Signature (mei) Translation :

Signature: katana, mei;  Bishū Osafune Sukesada saku (備州⻑船祐定作) “Made by Osafune Sukesada from Bizen province”

  Tenbun jūachinen nigatsu hi (天⽂⼗⼋年⼆⽉⽇‒“A day in the second month Tenbun 18 (1549)”

Cutting test: Kesa-otoshi ichi no dō kewaki-otoshi kono ha nite futatsu-dō otoshi

(袈裟落⼀ノ胴⽑脇落其刃ニ⽽⼆ッ胴落) “This blade cut through one body with the kesagiri cut and through each two bodies with the ichinodō and kewaki (wakige) cuts”

  Masse-musōno ken (末世無双之剣) “Unrivalled sword for the end of days”

 

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