A Masayuki Katana (伯耆守平朝臣正幸)

Masayuki succeeded as the third generation Masayoshi and, in 1789, received the honorary title Hôki no Kami, at which point he took the name Masayuki. He stands alongside Motohira as one of the two pillars of Satsuma Shinshintô smithing, and this katana, signed and dated to February of Kansei 11 (1799), is a fine record of that reputation. Fujishiro ranks him Jôjô-saku (a highly superior smith), and the blade in hand explains why: it is bold and imposing, with a wide moto-haba and a glorious, confident curvature.

The jihada is supremely forged, an ayasugi-influenced pattern woven through with mokume-hada, rich ji-nie and plentiful chikei. The hamon answers it beautifully – a wandering mix of notare and togariba, bright and deep at the nioiguchi, thickened with ice-like ara-nie and threaded with sunagashi and kinsuji. Together they give the blade real depth and movement, the kind that rewards close, patient viewing.

The sword is mounted in a custom koshirae lacquered in a dark navy blue with a wave pattern, its dragon tsuba radiating a martial ethos while the accompanying fittings ring with warmth and good fortune. Backed by NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon papers on the blade, NBTHK Hozon on the tsuba and fittings, NTHK-NPO Kanteishô on the koshirae and fuchi-kashira, and a confirming sayagaki by Tanzan-sensei (Tanobe Michihiro), this is a well-documented and inspiring collectible from a true great of the Shinshintô era, ready to begin its next chapter.