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O-Kogatana
by Mukansa Swordsmith ‘So Tsutomu’
This kogatana was forged by So Tsutomu – a modern day Mukansa Japanese sword smith known for his specialization in producing Kiyomaro utsushimono, which means works done in the style of Kiyomaro typically having long powerful kissaki and graceful sugata. As a Mukansa swordsmith, So Tsutomu is rated “without judgment” in competitions. There is only one rank above Mukansa and that is Ningen Kokuho (Living National Treasure) of which there are only two or three swordsmiths today.
So Tsutomu forged this particular kogatana quite large and by most standards some would consider this tanto length; although at the least it is definitely an o-kogatana.
- This piece comes with shirasaya and textured solid silver habaki in full art polish, which is all accomplished quite well in Kiyomaro-den style.
- The hada is a fine ko-itame and the hamon is a wonderfully exuberant o-choji that seems to even appear as o-busa choji in certain areas.
- The boshi is excellent and turns eloquently towards the mune. If you look closely you can see an ever-so-slight hardened area towards the mune, which is an elongated spot of muneyaki.
- As is the custom with kogatana, the back of the blade is finished with textured file marks and So Tsutomu’s signature reading: Chikushu Jyu So Tsutomu saku
- This beautiful piece comes in a double lined purple shirasaya storage bag of the highest quality silk.
Overall length: 11 and 3/8 inches
Nagasa: 7 and 1/4 inches
Similar kogatanas by Mukansa swordsmiths such as Yoshindo Yoshihara and Ono Yoshimitsu sell for double or triple the asking price for this kogatana. And, typically those kogatanas are much smaller and not as powerfully done in such a well-known and desired style as this Kiyomaro-den.
This is a beautiful, rare, and one-of-a-kind Mukansa piece ideal for mounting as a small tanto if desired, as a kogatana, or simply left as-is to be enjoyed in shirasaya.
$2,295
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