神妙手柄山甲斐守正繁
Shinmyo Tegarayama kai-no-kami Masashige
文政元年八月日
Bunsei Gannen Hachigatsu Hi (August, Bunsei 1) (1818)

Blade length(Cutting edge): 69.2cm
Curve (SORI): 1.6cm
Width at the hamachi(Moto-Haba): 2.84cm
Thickness at the Moto-Kasane: 0.65cm
Wide at the Kissaki(Saki-Haba): 2.25cm
Thickness at the Saki-Kasane: 0.55cm
Length of Koshirae : approximately 100.5cm
Sword tang(Nakago): Ubu, 1 hole.

Shape(Taihai): Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune, Chu-Kissaki (Medium Kissaki)
Jigane(Hada): Fine Itame with Jinie
Temper patterns(Hamon): O-gunome with koine
Temper patterns in the point(Bohshi): Turn back deeply

Tegarayama Masashige was a swordsmith of Banshu Himeji (present-day Himeji, Hyogo prefecture). He was a descendant of Yamato-daijo Fujiwara Ujishige. His family had lived at the foot of Mt. Tegara (Tegarayama) near Himeji Castle for generations and called themselves Tegarayama. He was born the second boy of 4th generation Ujishige in 1760 (Horeki 10th). 4th Ujishige, died in 1873(Tenmei 3rd), and his elder brother was succeeded as the 5th Ujishige. However, the brother was sickly and died just seven years later. After the death of his brother, Masashige succeeded his family as the 6th generation Ujishige, went up to Osaka, and made swords there. In the winter of 1788 (Tenmei 7th), Matsudaira Sadanobu, who is the “Roju” (chief of staff for shogun) known for Kansei Reforms, visited Osaka. He gathered swordsmiths living in Osaka and conducted a sword test. As a result, Ujishige (later Masashige) was taken into the service of Matsudaira Sadanobu with a high stipend of 500 Koku because Masashige’s swords had excellent cutting ability and did not spill. Matsudaira Sadanobu had Ujishige reside at the Matsudaira residence in Surugadai, Edo. He changed his name to Masashige. In 1803, at the age of 47, he received the honored title of “Kai-no-Kami (Governor of Kai Province)”. In his later years, he received the title of “Shinmyou” from Matsudaira Sadanobu. He died at the age of 71 on July 5, 1830 (Bunsei 13). He was a personal admirer of Tsuda Echizen no Kami Sukehiro, who created the Hamon called Toranbam, and excelled at making the Toranba, which is the then-popular large, turbulent wave-shaped Hamon. He is a very popular swordsmith.

This blade has a slim shape, a curve moderately, Chu-Kissaki, and excellent shape. Although he is recognized as being good at Toran-Midare-Ba, many of his swords show not so waved and standard-height Hamon. Additionally, there are many Wakizashi but not many Katana.

Therefore, like this sword, the sword with a high and well-waved Hamon is rare. Jigane is a fine Itame with thick Jinie and strong Kitae and looks really beautiful. Hamon is O-gunome with Konie. The tempered pattern is high and gorgeous, has deep Nioi, Konie uniformly, bright and clear, and has a ball shape like Tobiyaki in spots. Hamon became higher around Monouchi. The Hamon becomes high toward Monouchi, then Boshi becomes Ichimai-like and Komaru. Nakago is Ubu (keeps original shape) and Yasurime and signature is very well preserved. This sword is excellent sword which displays Masashige’s skill well, come with excellent Koshirae.