(Aoi mon) Echizen Yasutsugu, resident of Bushū Edo Katana
(葵紋）以南蛮鉄於武州江戸越前康継　刀
Item TK060

  • Period: Shinto Period - Early Edo 

  • Mei (Signature): (Aoi mon) Echizen Yasutsugu, resident of Bushū Edo
    （葵紋）以南蛮鉄於武州江戸越前康継

  • Designation: Designated on Showa 39, June 30th (1964)
    12th JUYO TOKEN

  • Nakago - Ubu - 1 Mekugi-Ana

  • Nagasa - 70.9cm

  • Sori: - 1.2cm

  • Motohaba - 3.05cm

  • Sakihaba - 2.1cm

  • Kissaki - 3.6cm

  • Motokasane - 0.72cm

  • Nakago length - 21.7cm

¥ 8,000,000

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12th Jūyō Tōken Katana by the Second Generation Echizen Yasutsugu 二代越前康継

Touken Takarado’s Supplementary Commentary:
In our opinion, the relatively concise description found in the Jūyō zufu does not fully do justice to the beauty and remarkable activity displayed by this katana. This is a sword that truly needs to be seen in motion and under changing light to appreciate the sheer amount of detail present throughout the blade.

The sugata is particularly attractive, with a broad and well balanced form, shallow sori, and a dignified chū kissaki that together create a powerful yet refined appearance. Interestingly, the Jūyō zufu describes the kasane as somewhat thin. Having examined the sword personally, we respectfully differ in our impression; to us, the blade feels quite substantial in hand, and we would even consider the kasane somewhat thick rather than thin.

The jigane is exceptionally clear and easy to appreciate, showing a beautifully forged itame mixed with mokume, with the individual patterns of the hada readily visible across the surface. Thick ji nie and the presence of chikei further enrich the steel and give the ji considerable depth.

The greatest attraction, however, is undoubtedly the hamon. The notare and gunome structure is filled with activity, with abundant kinsuji and sunagashi appearing repeatedly throughout virtually the entire hamon. Under proper lighting, these activities become remarkably vivid, giving the blade an almost constantly changing appearance as it is viewed from different angles. The bōshi is equally impressive, with its lively hakikake providing a dramatic conclusion to the workmanship at the kissaki.

Another particularly important feature is the Aoi mon carved into the nakago above the signature. The Shodai Yasutsugu was appointed to serve the Tokugawa and was granted the character 「康」 (Yasu) by Tokugawa Ieyasu, together with the exceptional privilege of using the Tokugawa family's Aoi crest on his swords. This privilege was inherited by the succeeding Yasutsugu lineage, and its presence on this Nidai work is a powerful reminder of the family's unusually close relationship with the Tokugawa Shogunate.

The Jūyō zufu itself specifically remarks that, among the works of the second generation Yasutsugu, this sword displays workmanship particularly close to that of the Shodai Yasutsugu, describing the blade as magnificent. It is also noteworthy that this very sword is featured in the Yasutsugu Taikan, further adding to its importance as a representative work of the smith.

Overall, this is an exceptionally vivid, active and beautiful example of Nidai Yasutsugu, a sword whose character is difficult to communicate through photographs or a written description alone. We strongly encourage viewers to watch the accompanying video, where the extraordinary jigane, the abundance of kinsuji and sunagashi, and the activity within the hamon can be appreciated far more clearly.

Below is a Direct Translation of the NBTHK Juyu Zufu

Sugata

The blade is shinogi-zukuri with an iori-mune. The kasane is somewhat thin, and the curvature is shallow with a chū-kissaki.

Jigane

The kitae is itame mixed with mokume, with areas of standing hada. Chikei appear within the ji, and the ji-nie is thickly attached.

Hamon

The hamon consists of notare with mutually alternating gunome, with ashi activity. Kinsuji and sunagashi frequently appear throughout, and ko-nie is well attached.

Boshi

The bōshi is notare-komi, with the tip forming a hakikake and then turning back.

Nakago

The nakago is ubu. The nakagojiri is iriyama-gata. The yasurime are suji-chigai, there is one mekugi-ana, and there is a long signature located toward the center of the omote.

Commentary

The second-generation Yasutsugu was one of the outstanding pupils of the first-generation Yasutsugu. After the first-generation Higo Daijō Yasutsugu died in Genna 7 (1621), he succeeded as the second generation and became a retainer of both the Tokugawa Shogunate and the Echizen Yūki family, serving the two on an alternating-year basis.

However, whether he actually travelled back and forth between Edo and Fukui in alternate years is open to some question. From around Shōhō 3 (1646) onward, the Edo and Echizen branches separated.

The second-generation Yasutsugu was a highly skilled smith who followed in his father's footsteps. During the early part of his career, he produced carvings similar to those of the first generation, including work associated with Kinai. Both styles closely resemble those of the first generation.

However, the dimensions and scale of the carvings of the first generation are not quite matched by the second.

Among the second generation's works, this sword displays workmanship particularly close to that of the first generation and is magnificent.

The inscription, with the exception of the character 「継」 (tsugu), is entirely in the same manner as that of the first generation.