AS24839 Katana:Mumei (attributed to Hōju) (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Katana: In Shirasaya (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature: Mumei (attributed to Hōju)
無銘(宝寿)

We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This piece is ranked as Jyojyo Saku among works attributed to Hōju.
Habaki: Gold-covered single habaki
Blade Length: 2 shaku 3 sun 4 bu – 70.9 cm (27.91 in)
Curvature: 5 bu – 1.52 cm (0.60 in)
Mekugi Holes: 2
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.07 cm (1.21 in)
Width at Tip: 2.07 cm (0.81 in)
Thickness of Rim (Kasane): 0.53 cm (0.21 in)
Sword Weight: 785 g
Era: Nanbokucho period – Enbun to Jōji era (1356–1368)
Shape:Suriage mumei blade with wide mihaba and solid kasane.
Noticeable curvature remains.
Jigane:Visible hada grain.
Utsuri appears in a shirake-utsuri style.
Hamon:Nioi-based suguha with active small ashi.
Upon close inspection, one can see kinzumi and sunagashi.

Features:　Hōju refers to a group of swordsmiths active from the Kamakura through Nanbokucho and into the Ouei era.
They mainly worked in Mutsu province and were likely connected to Buddhism, with many regionally unique styles.
It is said that Hōju may have been the elder of the famous Maegusa school.
Also referred to as “Hōshi” (monk smith).
Examples signed as “Hiraizumi ju Hōju” suggest some were produced in Hiraizumi.
The first generation dates back to the Kareki era (1326–1329), with the second around Enbun–Jōji, and the third and fourth generations during the Ouei period.
Over time, the blades became sturdier, often featuring utsuri, straight hamon with ko-ashi, and well-forged ko-itame or sometimes o-itame or ayasugi-hada.
Due to its auspicious name, Hōju blades were used as protective talismans during childbirth in the Muromachi shogunate.
These swords were blessed by Tendai monks and placed near expectant mothers.
The famous “Hōjumaru” of Ontake Shrine in Bushu is renowned from ancient times.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token
Aoi Art estimation paper and whole oshigata