AS25232 Katana：Bizen Osafune Sukesada Saku(NBTHK Hozon Token)

Katana in Shirasaya (NBTHK Hozon Token)

Signature: Bizen Osafune Sukesada Saku
Dated: August, Eiroku 10 (1567)
備州長船祐定作
永禄十年八月日

Sayagaki: Bizen Osafune Sukesada Saku, Blade length: 2 shaku 2 sun 5 bu (approximately), Inscribed by Dr. Kansan

We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This work is ranked as Jyo Saku among the works of Bizen Osafune Sukesada.
Habaki: Single-layer silver
Blade Length: 67.5 cm (26.57 in)
Curvature: 2.0 cm (0.79 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.18 cm (1.25 in)
Width at Tip: 2.42 cm (0.95 in)
Thickness of Rim (Kasane): 0.73 cm (0.29 in)
Sword Weight: 790 g
Era: Muromachi period, Eiroku 10 (1567)
Shape: A well-formed piece with wide mihaba, deep curvature, and extended boshi.
Jigane: Well-forged ko-itame hada with visible faint utsuri.
Hamon: Nioi-deki, in a straight-line style with ko-ashi activities and tobiyaki. The ha contains kinsuji and sunagashi, and the boshi has mixed irregularities with ko-ashi. Multiple layers of yakiba appear in the shinogi-ji.

Features: This Sukesada is a well-balanced and healthy piece retaining its original ha. While Bizen Osafune Sukesada generally tends to be underrated, many works from the Eiroku era exhibit outstanding craftsmanship. This example has a single mekugi-ana, excellent shape, straight hamon with ko-ashi, and visible kinsuji, all testifying to its quality. The saya bears an inscription by Kansan-sensei.
The mekugi-ana section of the Shirasaya is missing the rim (hasshōme). We will repair it before delivering the item.

Historical Context: The late Muromachi period was during the Sengoku era, when a large number of swords were produced.

NBTHK Hozon Token Certificate
Aoi Art Estimation Paper with Whole Oshigata