AS25120 Wakizashi: Bishu Osafune (Gold Inlay) Tsuneie(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)(Menuki and Kozuka : NBTHK Hozon Tosogu)

Wakizashi: Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)(Menuki and Kozuka : NBTHK Hozon Tosogu)

Signature: Bishu Osafune (Gold Inlay) Tsuneie
Eikyo 4 Nen 8 Gatsu Hi (August, 1432)
備州長船(以下金象嵌銘)経家
永享四年八月日

Sayagaki: Bishu Osafune Tsuneie
Tosa Yamanouchi Family Heirloom
Ubu Nakago with Signature, Gold Inlay of Two Characters
Dated August, 1432
Length: 50.5 cm (19.88 in)
Written in early autumn of 1987
By Honami Nisshu (Living National Treasure for Polishing)

We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku, and Regular Saku.
This work is ranked as Jyojyo Saku for Bishu Osafune Tsuneie.
Habaki: Gold foil single layer
Blade Length: 50.5 cm (19.88 in)
Curvature: 1.31 cm (0.52 in)
Mekugi Hole: 3
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.78 cm (1.09 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 1.68 cm (0.66 in)
Thickness of Rim (Kasane): 0.67 cm (0.26 in)
Sword Weight: 440 g (0.97 lbs)
Era: Muromachi Period, August 1432
Shape:As the style of warfare transitioned from mounted battles to ground fighting, the blade design includes curvature, and the nakago is relatively short, suitable for one-handed combat.
Jigane:The ko-itame grain is tightly packed, forming an excellent jigane. The shinogi-ji is also well-forged. On the front side, there are carvings of a dokko (vajra) and a sword, while the back side features a Bonji (Sanskrit character).
Hamon: Made with ko-nie, featuring gunome-midare. The boshi is midare-komi, with visible utsuri reflections.

Features: This work showcases utsuri, with a hamon in gunome-midare style. Utsuri is evident on the blade, demonstrating remarkable craftsmanship. The signature of Bishu Osafune Tsuneie, with the gold inlay beneath the signature, is beautifully executed.

Koshirae:(Menuki and Kozuka : NBTHK Hozon Tosogu)
Tsuba: Shakudo base with gold-embellished dragons swimming among ocean waves.
Kozuka: Shakudo nanakoji with a depiction of a long-handled sake pot.
Fuchi: Shakudo nanakoji with gold-embellished designs of leopards, tigers, and flowers.
Kashira: Shakudo nanakoji with high-relief carvings of dragons and bamboo.
Menuki: High-relief carvings of long-handled sake pots decorated in gold.
Saya: Black roiro lacquer saya.

Aoi Art’s Comment:This is an excellent work by Bishu Osafune Tsuneie.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token Certificate
Menuki and Kozuka : NBTHK Hozon Tosogu Certificate
AoiArt estimation paper: Whole Oshigata