Ippei Yasuari
The 5500 koku rated Kimotsuki family of Kiire, was an interesting house who out of all proportion of their rank in the Satsuma fief, had two swordsmith groups as their retainers, of which one, the Tamaki Yasuyo group became famous thanks to the 8th Shogun, Tokugawa Yoshumune in 1721. The other group which the Ippei Yasuyo group descended from, was through Yasuyo's father, Ippei Yasusada, was the Nakamura family of swordsmiths who were also retainers of the Kimotsuki. This Yasuari, who was adopted by Yasuyo from the Nakamura was in fact his second cousin, as Yasusada was a Nakamura before being asked by the Kimotsuki to take over the Tamaki family. (See the keizu of the Nakamura below)
Through his brother's son's son, Yasuari was adopted and what a very good choice he proved to be as shown by this sword, a rather good wakizashi as Yasuari chiefly produced swords as daisaku daimei for Yasuyo who died at age 49 when Yasuari was 21 at the time. However, interestingly as Yasuari had a long life as opposed to his adoptive father, made very few swords as he was a retainer to the Kimotsuki and his duties prevented him from making swords despite direct appeals before 1766. Finally in that latter year, the 8th Kiire Lord, Kimotsuki Kanemitsu granted him permission to make swords once again and long last at age 59 how delighted he must have been. He died on 25th January 1777 (Anei 6) at age 70. Despite his long years of being inactive, indeed a katana made by him in Meiwa 3 (1766) the very year he was granted his return to his calling as a swordsmith, shows his determination and vigour and was designated Juyo Token in 1967.
Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate
Former Torokusho of the Ippei Yasuari
dated (Showa 26) March 30 1951
(This is what collectors and dealers in Japan call an early numbered Torokusho like this a 'Daimyo Bango' as the earliest licensed swords in a prefecture were usually ex-daimyo collections) This is numbered 798
Ippei Yasuari Juyo Token
Nakamura Family Tree
