Katana – Yasutsugu

Rating by Hawley 25 point.

Provided on 平成十五年十二月十九日. Heisei ju go nen jȗ ni gatsu jȗ kȗ hi, December 19th, 2003.

Remark:This sword is made by Edo Sandai Yasutsugu, this is indicated in brackets on the certificate.

This piece is from the 3rd generation “Edo Sandai Yasutusgu”. “Umasuke” 右馬助 started using the name “Ichinosuke” 市之丞 in his later work. He was born in 寛永七年 Kanei shichi nen, in 1630. This piece is a well done 3rd generation Edo Sandai Yasutsugu Katana. The sword/blade is a very charming, nice curved and lightweight Katana.

Also the associated Koshirea has a beautifully slender cheap form. The Koshirea is well mounted with nice but very simple sword fittings, which is in my opinion in line with the associated sword/blade. I personally think this Katana is made for an older person. Mission to the sword smith was to make a lightweight Katana, particularly well succeeded.

According to the signature on this blade and certificate, Yasutsugu forged this Katana using Namban-tetsu at Edo, nanban tetsu (literally ‘southern barbarian’ or ‘foreign’ steel). Namban-tetsu was a very precious imported iron in ancient Japan. He passed away in 1669: 寛文九年は康継四十二歳の壮齢 Kanbun ku nen, when he was only 42 years old.

In Edo “Ichisaemon” 市左衛門 worked as a personal smith for the Shōgun “Tokugawa Ieyasu”, from whom he received the permission to make Aoi-mon on his swords and made use the character “康” Yasu in his name.

When Ichisaemon passed away, his son “Shimosaka Ichinosuke” became his successor both in Echizen as well in Edo. After the death of “Shimosaka Ichinosuke” in 1646, an agreement was reached, said in Edo was succeeded by his son 右馬助 “Umasuke” and Echizen by his brother 四郎右衛門 “Shirōuemon”.

It was accordingly, named ”Umusuke” Edo sendai Yasutsugu, and “Shirōuemon” Echizen sendai Yasutsugu. Shodai Echizen Yasutsugu and Nidai Echizen Yasutsugu were not by one Sandai, but succeeded by two Sandai’s, each took control of its own line/part of the family. One prospered at Edo and the other prospered in Echizen province.

“Umasuke” was the son of “Shimosaka Ichinosuke”, the second generation Yasutsugu. After “Shimosaka Ichinosuke” died “Umasuke” moved to Edo where he was referred to as “the third generation Yasutsugu from Edo”, named Edo Sandai Yasutusgu. His full name is “Ichinojo Umanosuke Yasutsugu”.

ujishiro Yoshio sensei considered Echizen Sandai as a class less than Edo Sandai. Edo Sandai was, according to him jō saku (superior) class, while he reckoned Echizen Sandai to chū jō saku (better than average) class. Tokuno Kazuo sensei, however, set both aligned.

The Yasutsugu school continued to 8th generation.

The Edo Sandai Yasutsugu (Kambun 1661) was the Chakushi or son of the Nidai. He was originally called Umanosuke and later Ichiojo. He was active in the Kanbum period and his works resemble the first and second generations, though he was known for fine Itame jitetsu and a flamboyant hamon. He was rated as Jo Saku for skill by Fujishiro and Wazamono for sharpness in the book, Kokin Kaji Bikosenby, Yamada Asaumon Yoshichika.