Masakari Japanese Hand Made Axe By Shigezoku

Brand name: Shigezoku(重族)

Smith name: Unknown

Steel: Carbon Steel

Jigane: Modern soft iron

Blade width: 70mm

Top Head Size: 28mm x 16mm

Weight: 294g

Total length: 360mm

Manufacture Era: Before 1990

Wooden handle: Japanese White oak

Accessories: -

Additional Information:  This item is unused and in good condition, with some light surface rust. It is a finely crafted small axe (hatchet) from the collection of a retired carpenter in the Kanto region. Regrettably, because the carpenter originally discovered it at a specialty tool shop, he was unable to provide further details regarding the blacksmith.

According to publicly available information online, Shigezoku (重族) was likely a blacksmith based in the Tokyo (or Kanto) area active during the Showa period, known primarily for forging chouna (adzes). While kiridashi knives by Shigezoku can be found occasionally, axes crafted by him are exceptionally rare.