Signature translation Oite Toyama Mitsuru O teinai Kasama Ikkansai Shigetsugu….Made at the estate of Toyama Mitsuru by Kasama Ikkansai Shigetsugu
Date translation Showa Ju Shi Nen Roku Gatsu Hi….The 14th year of Showa (1939), a day in the 6th month.
Nagasa Length measured in a straight line 27 1/4 inch or 69.2 cm
Width at Habaki 1 1/4 inch or 3.3
Sori is about 2 cm
Original Shira Saya brought back by veteran.
By all accounts, Kasama Shigetsugu is recognized for having spent his life dedicated to Nihonto, preserving and passing down the art of traditional Japanese swordsmithing.
Experts believe Sensei Shigetsugu could arguably be the most important and influential swordsmith of the Showa period. During this time some of his most notable students were Kuniie, Okimasa, Shigemasa, Akihara, Akihide, Hidemune and Yasuhiro as well as countless remarkable others. The best smiths of today often trace their roots to lineage of Shigetsugu.
However because WWII ended with the nuclear bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima. The ensuing forced surrender of Nihonto as a purposeful effort to break the Samurai Spirit. The banning of making swords as a condition of surrender….Kasama Shigetsugu as the highly respected artist in residence for the powerful and influential Black Dragon founder, Toyama Mitsuru was essentially ostracized through fear of association in occupied Japan.
Fujishiro , author of Nihon Toko Jiten, a definitive work on Koto, Shinto and ShinShinto works, notes only 11 showa era smiths as worthy of mention, and Kasama Shigetsugu is listed.
Slough rates 2.5 million
Toko Taikan 2.8 million
Hawley as 8
This sword on its own merits is remarkable to behold and held. I am confident at Shinsa it will paper well.
There are no bends cracks openings ect. Professional sword polish done by David Hoffine, here in Wisconsin.