Katana in Shirasaya (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Paper)

Signature: Satsuma (no) kuni Oku Yamato (no) kami Taira Ason Motohira.
Kansei 2 Kanoe-Inu nen Haru 2 gatsu hi Honda Oya Seinen 28 Te Mizukara Kuwaeru Ken, Bonji Chimizo.
(explanation: Kanesei 2nd year 1790,Spring Feburualy Honda Oya Added the Horimono on the tang Ken, Bonji and also Bo-hi.)

The blade was polished.
Blade length : 71.96 cm or 28.33 inches.
Sori : 1.36 cm or 0.53 inches.
Mekugi: 1
Width at the hamachi : 3.05 cm or 1.20 inches.
Width at the Kissaki : 2.04 cm or 0.80 inches.
Kasane : 0.70 cm or 0.27 inches.
Era : Edo period. Kansei around era.
Shape : The blade is wide and thick healthy blade.
Jitetsu : The blade is koitame hada well grained with jinie attach with blackish jigane.
Hamon : Niedeki Gunome midare with thick nioikuchi and in Hamon, there are many sunagashi and long nice Kinsuji work.

Special feature : Satsuma province produced excellent swordsmiths under the patronage of the Shimazu family. Motohira, born as a son of retaind swordsmith Oku Motonao in 1744 was a reprsentative swordsmith in early Shin-to period.
Motohira succeeded the headship of family in 1777 and was appointed Yamato (No) Kami in 1789. His younger brothers Mototake and Motoyasu were also excellent swordsmith and their collaboration still survives. Motohira passed away in 1826, aged 83.

This blade is very healthy without any flaw. On the tang, Honda Oya? 28 years of age cut the Horimono on the tang which is very precious data. As usual, The bottom of the Tang has Kakushitagane which admit Motohira. The sword is good condition without Kizu and flow.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Paper
Aoi Art estimation paper : whole Oshigata.