Japanese Katana Samurai sword made by Echizen Yasutsugu Echizen 3 generation 1661 (Sold)

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A beautiful Japanese Katana sword made by Echizen Yasutsugu Echizen 3 generation 1661 NBTHK Hozon Characteristics Echizen Sandai Yasutsugu is the third son of the first Yasutsugu, and in the Yasutsugu family, a third generation inheritance dispute takes place after the death of the second generation, and the third generation Yasutsugu are attacked in Edo and Echizen respectively. This blade was forged by the third generation of Edo Yasutsugu (江戸三代康継), according to the assessment of the NBTHK. He was active in swordsmithing during the Kanbun-Enpo era (Early Edo period: 1661-1680). He was the first son of the second generation of Yasutsugu, who made swords until 1645 and died in 1646. It is said that the first generation Yasutsugu was born in Shimosaka town in Shiga prefecture at the end of the Muromachi period (late 16th century). He built his career there until the beginning of the Keicho era (1596). However, he moved to Echizen province due to the move of the lord he served. He was eventually noticed and supported by Matsudaira Hideyasu, the third son of Tokugawa Ieyasu, who was the founder of the Edo government. Hideysu who was the feudal lord of Echizen province during the early Edo period. With Hideyasu’s support, the first generation of Yasutsugu was able to establish the Echizen Shimosaka school. And the fame of his school became nationwide. At Hideyasu’s suggestion, the first generation Yasutsugu became Okakaekaji for the Tokugawa shogun family, meaning he forged swords exclusively for the Shogun family. Yasutsu was recognized by the First and Second Tokugawa Shoguns, Tokugawa Ieyasu and Tokugawa Hidetada. The first generation Yasutsugu received 康 (YASU) from Tokugawa Ieyasu and changed its maker’s name. He was also allowed to write the holly oak symbol (tokugawa family coat of arms) on the tongs. The first generation died in 1621 and the first son of his took over the school and became the second generation Yasutsugu. As we explained earlier, the second generation had passed away in 1646. The third generation Edo Yastsugu was the first son of the second generation Yasutsugu. His real name is Umanosuke (右馬助). When the second generation passed away in the third year of Seiho (1646), Umanosuke was only 17 years old. Due to his young age, there was a dispute within the Echizen Yasutsugu school over who took over the school. The second generation Yasutsugu and Shogun’s arms office students supported Umanosuke to be the third generation Yasutsugu. However, the third son of the first generation Yasutsugu insisted that he should be the one to take over his father’s school and property. Yasutsugu’s third son was Shirouemon (四郎右衛門) and second generation younger brother of Yasutsugu. This dispute was finally resolved in such an interesting way. Yasutusu school decided to have two third generation Yasutsugu. While Umanosuke was officially appointed as the heir to the Yasutsu school and became the third generation of Yasutsugu in Edo city, Shirouemon founded the Echizen Yasutsugu school. From this point on, there were two branches of the Yasutsugu school; Edo and Echizen. At that time, Yasutsugu swordsmiths were asked to counterfeit swords in Echizen and Edo back and forth every year, but this tradition ended after this dispute was settled. Edo Yasutsugu school lasted for the 12th generation of the third generation Edo Yasutsugu, and Echizen Yasutsugu lasted for the 9th generation. The third generation Yasutsugu’s work resembles that of the first two generations, and his craftsmanship is said to be excellent among Japanese sword experts. This blade edge is 67cm and we assume it must have belonged to a very skilled Samurai who could handle this long edge well. Since this blade was forged by a prestigious swordsmith, we believe it belonged to a high-ranking Samuirai official in Edo. This blade has been assessed as a Hozon certificate issued by NBTHK. This authentication paper was only given to Japanese swords, especially worth keeping by Nihon Bijutsu Touken Hozon Kyokai (the Society for the Preservation of the Japan Art Sword). Blade length 67cm Sori 1.2cm Original width Width at the Hamachi 3.25 cm Motoshige Greenhouse 7 mm 先width Wide with the Kissaki 2.3 cm 先重 Saki kasane 5mm Eye nail hole Mekugi 3 Era Jidai Edo period, Kanbun ca. 1661 Edo period Production area Country Echizen (province)