This Shinsakuto is a captivating traditionally made sword. With a ″ Nagasa and custom mountings this is a sword to admire. This blade was created to use for training and also for appreciation. A Choji midare hamon loaded with sunagashi, kinsuji and chikei . Ji-nie abounds and adds to the aesthetic quality of the blade. There are thick lines of Chikei that form large Mokume burls similar to Ayasugi hada with fine itame loaded with ji-nie. These large Mokume areas form a stream flowing into the Hamon. This is a beautiful sword by Norihide in Sesshu, present day Hyogo prefecture. His real name is Koshio Gonda who lives in Takarazuka-city and he has won several awards in the Contemporary Sword Exhibition and Contest held by Japanese Sword Preservation Society (NBTHK). This blade is an outstanding example of his work style. Special ordered and elaborately made. The whole shape is stout and entirely overflowing with an ambitious spirit. There are 2 mekugi-ana in an ubu nakago. This sword is spectacular to study and for the finest of Shinsakuto collectors. A pleasure to behold and one never gets tired of viewing the myriad of activity that is found in this blade.

The Koshirae is very appealing.  Adorned with iron Fuchi / Kashira and Tsuba . The handle wrap is finished in black leather as well as a black silk sageo. There is a Sukashi style tsuba and a swirling lacquer finish to the saya which also accentuates the mountings. The Saya is in a red and black lacquered finish. The habaki and seppa are finished in a gold wash.

This blade was made of Tamahagane and using the traditional methods, folded and clay tempered, water quenched. The sword is signed and dated and has an attribution to the occasion for which it was made.

On the tang is written : ” Tame Taishoku-kinen Ōhashi Mizuo – Sesshū-jū Norihide saku”  – “Made by Norihide from Sesshū as a remembrance for the retirement from office of Ōhashi Mizuo” A specialty sword recorded for a special occasion by Norihide and a rarity to own.

One last note on this sword.  For BATTO or sword training this would make an exceptional sword.  This is a very wide blade and is not extremely thick.  This is a sword that would make an excellent cutting sword and is very well balanced for such a large sword.