Hizen Masahiro Katana

Kawachi no Kami Masahiro was born in 1623 as the son of Kawachi Daijo Masahiro. He was originally called Sadenji and his first name was Masanaga. He was appointed Musashi Daijo in the third year of Manji and promoted to Musashi no Kami in the following year, the first year of Kanbun. Later, in February 1665, when he was 39 years old, his father, the first Masahiro, died and in April of the same year he received the title of Kawachi no Kami. Masahiro died in the 12th year of Genroku at the age of 73.
His style is similar to that of the first Masahiro, specializing in irregular blades.

The subject katana is a superb work of the 2nd generation Masahiro with the original Edo period Koshira.

The original Koshira shows a iron tsuba with a carving of a skeleton placed left in the wilderness. The crescent moon carved on the reverse side is melancholy.
The Fuchi Kashira are made of iron and shows a carving of cloud.
The Menuki are in gold and shows a carving of a skull.
And the Kojiri is an iron plate with a design of cherry blossom.