- Bitchu aoe Chikatsugu 1308-1334
- Chikatsugu is a
representative smith of the Chu Aoe Bitchu province School.
It is said that he is the son of Aoe Yoshitsugu. Chikatsugu
seems to have traveled some as he received training in Bizen as
well as Bingo province before returning to Bitchu.
- Chikagatsu has signed
this work with a two character signature. It displays the
very fine hada of the Yamashiro School. It is 62.2 cm
long. The sword displays bo-hi both sides, a longish kissaki,
itame hada well grained with ji-nie and utsuri attached. The
hamon is gunome/midare with kinsugi and sunagashi. It comes
with beautiful fitted mounts.
- This sword came from
an American Marine who acquired it from a Japanese officer.
The sword was passed on to the Marine's nephew, who sold it to a
dealer. The shirasaya has a sayagaki stating that this sword
is appraised at 100 Gold Pieces.
The Japanese Sword Society of Canada
