Tanto: Bizen Koku Osafune Kiyomitsu (August, 1576)(NBTHK Hozon Token)

Tanto in Shirasaya (NBTHK Hozon Token)

Inscription:
Bizen Koku Osafune Kiyomitsu
Tensho 4 Nen 8 Gatsu Hi (August, 1576)

We divide works in to Saijo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku,and Regular Saku.
This piece is ranked as Jyojyo Saku for Bizen Koku Ju Osafune Kiyomitsu.

Habaki: gold and silver covered layered habaki
Blade Length: 22.6 cm (8.90 in)
Curvature: 0.1 cm (0.04 in)
Mekugi hole: 1
Width at Base(Motohaba): 2.39 cm (0.94 in)
Thickness: 0.75 cm (0.30 in)
Blade Weight: 175g

Era: the late Muromachi period, 1576
Shape: slightly thick Tanto
Jigane: Itame and Mokume intense graine pattern with Chikei and faint Utsuri.
Hamon: Ko-nie base suguha with notare and Gunome with Nizyu-ba and Sunagashi.

Features: Kiyomitsu is known, along with Sukesada, as one of the mass-producing swordsmiths of the late Muromachi period. However, this particular work by Kiyomitsu is a well-made piece, featuring a beautifully forged jigane (steel surface) and a refined hamon (temper line). The presence of a date inscription also suggests that this sword was carefully crafted.

NBTHK Hozon Certificate
Aoi-Art estimation Paper
whole Oshigata