Shodai Sukenaga Wakizashi

Beautiful work by the first generation Sukenaga, ranked as the highest level smith in the Bizen Yokoyama tradition during Shin-Shinto period. The mei reads “Kiku (chrysanthemum) Ichi Yokoyama Kaga no Suke Fujiwara Ason Sukenaga Biyo Osagune Ju, Kaei 2nd -2nd month (1849AD February) “. Sukenaga was granted to use the Chrysanthemum in his signature which this blade bears, an incredibly attractive and large one at that. He died at a fairly young age in 1851AD so this work was at the very end of his life, marked claimed to be the 56th generation smith of the Bizen tradition. Sukenaga was know for creating Nioi Deki hamon and seldom Nie-Deki, in this case he demonstrates Ko-Nie Deki with an interesting variation in his hamon, from the Mune it begins with a short sugu-ha that quickly transitions into Gunome Choji and then back to a nice elongated Sugu-ha. The blade itself is of very good work with some minor imperfections, the polish is in recent condition. Comes with a nice Edo period mounts, interesting Saya pattern with good quality metal work for the Tsuba, Fuchi-Kashira and Shishi Menuki.