Kashu Ietsugu, also called Kashu Aoe was a group of famous Toshima school swordsmith from the Kaga province who were active during the Muromachi period (1336~1573). Kashu Ietsugu was the son of Kunitsugu, who was the student of Sanekage, which in turn was the student of one of the most famous swordsmiths during the Koto period, Etchu Norishige. Starting with the first generation Ietsugu, they kept making swords until the late Muromachi period. Their workmanship with Gunome-midare was very extensive and appreciated, and are well known for having very distinctive Hada on their swords.
Kashu Ietsugu blades are very popular among Japanese sword collectors and was considered as very good cutting swords that was carried with pride by the Samurai.

This blade has abundant Hataraki which these smiths were known for. The Hada quality is a beautiful Itame-style and has some very nice work in the Hada and the Hamon.

Signature: No Signature / Attributed as a late work of Kashu Ietsugu (後代加州家次)
Place of origin: Kaga (Ishikawa Prefecture)
Period: Koto (~1555-1558)
Certification: Tokubetsu Kicho Token (Especially Precious),
dated 49th year of Showa 30th of November (1974/11/30)
NBTHK (財団法人　日本美術刀剣保存協会)

Blade length: 2.45Shaku (74.1cm)
Sori (curvature): 2.0cm
Motohaba: 27.5mm
Motokasane: 6.5mm
Sakihaba: 22.0mm
Sakikasane: 5.0mm
Hamon: Kogunome-midare

Tsuka：One Mekugi hole
Tsuka wrap: Navy Silk Tsuka over Antique Samegawa with navel knot.
Saya: Hon Tame Ishime with black tiger stripes (matte red with slight texture and black tiger stripe marks) with additional Shirasaya mountings

Weight of Koshirae+Tsunagi: approx. 640grams

Weight of Shirasaya+blade: approx.1050grams
Weight of Blade in Shirasaya mounting: approx. 810grams