Masterpiece Japanese Samurai Sword Katana Suishinshi Masahide NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon

Masterpiece Japanese Samurai Sword Katana Suishinshi Masahide NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon.

 This blade was signed by Suishinshi Masahide (水心子正秀) year 1799. He was especially active during the late Edo period (1781-1820).  Suishinshi Masahide (水心子正秀) was one of the most famous and innovative swordsmiths at the end of the Edo period. 

 He was born in the third year of the Kan-En era (1750) in the Yonezawa domain in Dewa province (Today’s Yamagata/Akita prefecture). His birth name was Suzuki Sanjiro . When he was about 18 years old, he started learning blacksmithing techniques from a local blacksmith named Yoshizawa Sanjiro, who specialized in producing farming tools in Dewa Koku. Later on, Masahide decided to become a swordsmith. In 1771, when he was 22 years old, he moved to Musashi Koku (Today’s Tokyo) to become an apprentice of Miyagawa Yoshihide, also known as Shitahara Yoshihide. Masahide learned sword-forging techniques under this master, who belonged to Shitahara School, one of the most prestigious schools in this area.

After finishing his apprenticeship, he returned to Dewa Koku. His craftsmanship was widely recognized in the province. In 1774, Masahide started to serve Akimoto Tsunetomo, the head of the domain, because of his superb sword-forging techniques. It is said that he began to use Suishinshi as his title during this time and changed his maker’s name to Kawabe Gihachiro Masahide. In 1781, he moved to Edo City, settling in a house owned by the Akimoto clan. He was always curious to know various sword-forging techniques. He started to search how Japanese swords were made during the late Heian-Azuchi Momoyama period (late 12th-late 16th century: KOTO era), especially the ones made with SOSHU DEN and BIZEN DEN traditions. He often visited the offsprings of renowned swordsmiths in the old days to know the secret of old sword-forging techniques. One of the most notable episodes is when he visited Yamamura Tsunahiro, an offspring of Masamune, one of the historical figures in Japanese sword forging. And he improved his craftsmanship there as well. 

It is appraised as a Tokubetsu Hozon Token(特別保存刀剣) issued by NBTHK(Nihon Bijutsu Touken Hozon Kyokai:日本美術刀剣保存協会). This authentication paper was only given to authentic Japanese swords, especially well preserved and high quality with artistic value

The koshirae is wonderful and great in collor the saya has a tight fit and fine pattern.
But please look at the great details of the fitting the copper tsuba is one of a kind nice Japanese village and the kashira has bamboo leaves.
The blade is in perfect condition with superb hamon and hi  truly a Masterpiece.

Blade length     65.1m
Warp     1.8cm
Hamachi       2.8cm
Motoshige Kasane        6mm
Kissaki        1.95cm
Saki Kasane      4.5mm
Era             Edo era 1799
Country    Musashi Province