Introduction of Japanese Swords from Wakedo

Inscription: Made by Akitsugu Amata (Living National Treasure)
Heisei 15, Yayoi Kichijitsu
Sign: Akitsugu Amata korewo tsukuru (living national treasure)
Heisei 15 (AD 2003) Yayoi (March) Kichijitsu

Box: With original box

Dimensions: Blade length 2 shaku 4 sun 5 bu (74.5 cm), curvature 2.4 cm, mekugi hole 1
Width at the base: 32.5 mm, width at the tip: 24 mm, thickness at the base: 8 mm
Size: Blade length 74.5 cm, curvature 2.4 mm, mekugi 1 hole

Country: Echigo Province

Period: Heisei 15

Shape: Shinogi-zukuri, an-tō, body width, thickness balance, curvature, middle cut tip, resembling a tachi from the Kamakura period

Forging: Well-packed ko-itame, with chikei, and ji-nuki

Hamon: Gunome-chōji midare, with ashi, some areas have tobiyaki, with bright nioi and clear nioiguchi

Boshi: Midare-komi, rounded tip

Nakago: Raw, kurijiri, with file marks at an angle

Shirasaya: Yes

Explanation

Born in 1927 as the eldest son of the late Teikichi Amada in Honda Village, Niigata Prefecture.
Entered the Japanese sword forging apprenticeship of Hikozaburo Kurihara in 1940.
Approved for sword making in 1954.
Received the Masamune Award (Yamashiro style) at the New Sword Exhibition in 1977.
Designated as an intangible cultural asset of Niigata Prefecture and Toyoura Town in 1978.
Received the Masamune Award (Sōshū style) for the second time at the New Sword Exhibition in 1985.
Elected as the chairman of the All Japan Swordsmith Association in 1990.
Received the Masamune Award (Bizen style) for the third time at the New Sword Exhibition in 1996.
Designated as a holder of Important Intangible Cultural Properties (Living National Treasure) in 1997. Awarded the title of "Honorary Citizen of Toyoura Town."
Received the Order of the Rising Sun, Fourth Class, in 2003.
Became an honorary citizen of Niigata Prefecture, Shibata City in July 2003.
Passed away on June 26, 2013.

Akitsugu Amata's real name is Seichi Amata. He was recognized as a holder of Important Intangible Cultural Properties (Living National Treasure) in 1997. He is a contemporary swordsmith representing Niigata. Born in 1927 as the eldest son of Teikichi Amata in Honda Village, Niigata Prefecture, he moved to Tokyo in 1940 to study under Hikozaburo Kurihara. He then achieved notable results in various sword-making competitions and became a non-examined swordsmith in 1972. Designated as an Important Intangible Cultural Property (Living National Treasure) in 1997, he received numerous awards and honors until his passing in 2013.

Akitsugu Amata is also known for selecting sand iron and creating his own steel for the blade. He mastered styles such as Bizen and Sōshū and left behind many famous swords.

This work is a fine example of Akitsugu Amata's Bizen style, replicating the majestic tachi of the Kamakura period. The steel is well-packed with itame, and the hamon features gunome with chōji mixed in, with bright nioi and a clear nioiguchi, resulting in an excellent piece. It comes with an original box.