Wakizashi "Ise-daijo Tsunahiro"
Blade length 56.2cm, thickness at the base 7.5mm, width 3.2cm
This is a nice wakizashi blade made by Tsunahiro of Kamakura, Sagami province (Soshu) from 17th century. He is a descendant of Masamune of Kamakura, of course. This is healthy and robust as well.
Steel is fine. It is mix forging as the tradition of Kamakura style, but the steel layers are not rough.
Hamon is made of large particles. It is bright and it makes active pattern what is well designed. Of course, kinsuji appears as their tradition.
Polishing is the modern style (Hadori style). The work is good and proper. The hadori work is not strong but mild. Of course, no acid. The work is done by skillful work with natural stones. It shows what Japanese sword polishing is. You can study the blade without any obstructive make up except for shinogi-ji and back surfaces.
Tang
Signature "Soshu ju Ise-daijo Minamoto Tsunahiro"
The back of the lower half of the tang is filed out. Probably the work was done when a handle for koshirae was made in late Edo period. Samurai preferred a straight handle back then.
Ise-daijo Tsunahiro is well known as the master of Kotetsu. But he is not much older than Kotetsu. They are similar age, or the master is younger than the apprentice, because Kotetsu started his apprenticeship when he was around 50 years old. Anyway Ise-daijo Tsunahiro is a master smith and also master of Kotetsu. This blade shows his good skill with the fine steel and bright hamon.
Habaki is gold foiled. It is a good work and has perfect fit with the blade.
Shirasaya and bag
520,000.yen