Nihonto katana “Yasutsugu” with Aoi mon NBTHK Tokobetsu Hozon

Description

ITEM DESCRIPTION:

Comes with kimono or cotton bag. Comes with certificate of supein Nihonto. Comes with original prefecture certificate. Comes With NBTHK Tokobetsu Hozon.

Signed: Yasutsugu (3rd Generation, Echizen)
Torokusho: Tokyo #328366
Blade length: 73.5 cm

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Torokusho translation (Japanese sword registration)

Tokyo Registration Nº 328366
Type: Katana
Blade length: 73.5 cm
Curvature: 2.2 cm
Mei:
Omote: Aoi-mon + Yasutsugu saku
Ura: Echizen sandai (3rd generation)

Date: August 13th, 2024
Authority: Tokyo Metropolitan Education Committee

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NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token certificate

Certificate Nº 1024052
Date: February 21st, 2025
Attribution:
Katana signed “Aoi-mon Yasutsugu saku (Echizen, 3rd generation)”

Acknowledged by the NBTHK as Tokubetsu Hozon Token, confirming exceptional quality, historical relevance and high-level craftsmanship.

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Professional narrative description

This katana is a superb and highly valuable work by Yasutsugu, 3rd generation of Echizen, one of the most prestigious forging lineages of the Edo period and direct successors of the Shimosaka tradition. The presence of the Tokugawa Aoi crest (葵紋)—engraved on the nakago—is an extraordinary honor granted to only a handful of master smiths.

The blade, with its 73.5 cm nagasa and elegant 2.2 cm sori, displays the refined jihada and controlled hamon characteristic of the Yasutsugu lineage. The visible nie and rich internal activity reflect the technical mastery of this school.

The koshirae is complete and of remarkably high quality:

• Black silk tsuka-ito over high-grade samegawa.

• Menuki of golden dragons.

• Fuchi-kashira elaborately carved with dragons and traces of gold.

• Iron tsuba with dragons and clouds, featuring gold and silver inlays.

• Brown ishime-ji saya with an intact antique label.

• Traditional blue sageo.

Together, blade and fittings form a balanced, elegant and historically significant ensemble suitable for advanced collectors or museum-level exhibition.

The historical weight of the Tokugawa Aoi-mon (葵紋)

The Aoi crest was the official emblem of the Tokugawa shogunate and its use was strictly restricted. Only a handful of elite smiths were granted permission to engrave it on their tangs.

Yasutsugu stood at the top of this group:

• Yasutsugu I was personally authorized by Tokugawa Ieyasu to use the Aoi crest and work with imported Nanban iron.

• This honor passed only to select successors, including the 3rd generation of Echizen.

Thus, a sword signed:

• 葵紋 康継作,

• 越前三代,

• NBTHK certified as Tokubetsu Hozon

Is not merely a blade—it is a documented artifact directly tied to the political and military heart of Edo-period Japan, elevating its desirability and investment value.

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The antique saya label — historical documentation

The saya preserves an old handwritten label. Although partially deteriorated, the visible characters match the NBTHK attribution:

• The kanji 継 (tsugu) is clearly identifiable.

• The characters 越 and 前 appear as well, indicating Echizen.

This strongly suggests that the saya label originally identified:

“Yasutsugu — Echizen”
likely written long before modern certification.

Such labels are rare and add significant historical depth, demonstrating long-standing recognition of the blade’s attribution within Japanese collections.

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Technical description

Blade

• Type: Katana

• Nagasa: 73.5 cm

• Sori: 2.2 cm

• Hamon: Notare with abundant nie and internal activity

• Jihada: Itame mixed with mokume

• Kissaki: Chu-kissaki

• Nakago: Two mekugi-ana, original patina

• Mei:

  • Omote: Aoi-mon Yasutsugu saku

  • Ura: Echizen sandai

Koshirae

• Tsuka: Samegawa with black silk wrap

• Menuki: Golden dragons

• Fuchi-kashira: Iron with dragon motifs and gold highlights

• Tsuba: Iron, dragons and clouds with gold and silver details

• Saya: Brown ishime-ji with antique label

• Sageo: Blue

• Habaki: Copper

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Technical sheet