Art sword shinsakuto by Bizen Masashiro for iaido or collection
Shinsakuto made in the Bizen Ichimonji tradition by Masashiro.
A tad over 29" nagasa with deep sori and bohi.
Purchased from Modern Tosho a few years back (photos are below from from Keith Larman at the time of the sale -- additional and current photos on request), this is long blade with a classic choji hamon in the Bizen tradition. It's an elegant blade that is almost tachi-like in its proportions. You don't see many blades like this for sale in the US -- it was made as an "art sword" that would sell for over twice the asking price if ordered new.
It's available now at a greatly discounted price based on use by the previous owner (a "high ranking iaidoka" I was told) for iaido and tameshigiri,. It has scratches and unfortunately sustained a bend that was corrected in the mune so that it's straight, but with shinae showing and a persisting warp in the ha that is noticeable, but does not affect tachikaze. I spoke with a US polisher who thought it could be corrected (references available on request), but I have not wanted to take the risk of having that done.
It is fully mounted, ready for use. It would be well-suited to an iaito practitioner. I have enjoyed owning it as a collection piece, but it is time to find it a new home.
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4308/...982b65ba_b.jpgMasashiro1 by drjoe4, on Flickr
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4300/...7ac5e4fe_b.jpgMasashiro2 by drjoe4, on Flickr
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4303/...a8f3eb6a_b.jpgMasashiro4 by drjoe4, on Flickr
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4322/...d71c6cdb_b.jpgMasashiro6 by drjoe4, on Flickr
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4297/...91209b31_b.jpgMasashiro7 by drjoe4, on Flickr
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4326/...9b91c35f_b.jpgMasashiro3 by drjoe4, on Flickr
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4318/...28b8e0a0_z.jpgMasashiro5 by drjoe4, on Flickr
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4292/...c50f40ba_b.jpgMasashiro9 by drjoe4, on Flickr