A Yasutoshi Tameshigiri Katana (安利)

On December 2, 1662 – the 2nd year of Kanbun – this formidable katana by Yasutoshi underwent a formal cutting test known as tameshigiri. It successfully severed the corpses of two convicted criminals laid one atop the other in a single stroke. The tester was none other than Yamano Kauemon Nagahisa, the founder of the Yamano School and a Shogun-appointed sword examiner of the highest authority. As was his standard practice, Nagahisa recorded the result in gold inlay directly on the nakago (tang) – a record that survives to this day in perfect condition.

Nagahisa and his descendants, including Yamano Kanjuro Hisahide, were the foremost sword-testing authorities of the Edo Shogunate, and they favoured blades by Yasusada above all others. Yasutoshi studied directly under Yasusada, and the influence shows clearly in this blade’s magnificent gunome midare hamon – a temperline of immense energy and refinement. The suriage-chushin nakago has been shortened but the signature is completely intact.

This is a weapon with a documented history of proven battlefield-level performance, certified by the greatest testing authority of its era, and carrying NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon certification. By any measure, a major samurai sword.