HOSOKAWA MASACHIKA

This is a long wide mumei katana attributed to den Hosokawa Masachika by the NTHK.  The kanteisho does not directly attribute this katana to a specific generation, however, they do attribute this work to Musashi province and Kaei period (1848-1854).

There were two generations of Hosokawa Masachika. The shodai, Tenpō (天保, 1830-1844), Musashi province, signed using the following combination of characters 正親.  He was active from approximately 1830-1868 and was a student of the famous Hosokawa Masayoshi who in turn was a student of Suishinsei Masahide.

The nidai Masachika, Kaei (嘉永, 1848-1854), Musashi province, never signed with the same characters as his father, but instead used 正近. Of note, the nidai was executed in 1868 for producing gimei blades.

The working period of the two generations overlapped and with this sword being mumei we can ascertain this is what led to the den attribution.  The kanji used for these papers is the Chika character used by the shodai 親. I mention this as I have seen Masachika papers using the character used by the nidai. Yet, the working date of Kaei would seem to point to the nidai. I can only speculate as to the meaning of the shinsa team.

What is certain is that this is a big beefy katana with a 28.5” nagasa and is 38” overall. The blade is in good polish and condition.  There are a few light surface scratches or hikekake and a few stains, but nothing detrimental. The blade itself has tons of activity like chikei, kinsuji, sunagashi and hakikake in the boshi.  If this sword was re-polished it would be a stunning sword.

The blade is housed in a standard Type 98 Gunto Koshirae. The koshirae is in good overall condition. The ito was replaced a few years ago as the original was tattered and falling apart.  The saya has one small dent, and the paint is flaking in spots as seen in the photos.

Price: $4500 plus S/H

REDUCED: $3600 plus S/H

If you are interested in owning this sword, contact me via the website or directly at yakiba.com@gmail.com