AS25574 Katana:Bishu Nakaji Ju Moritsugu Saku (16th NBTHK Juyo Token)

Ordering Number: AS25574

Katana in Shirasaya with Koshirae (16th NBTHK Juyo Token)

Signature: Bishu Nakaji Ju Moritsugu Saku 備州中路住盛次作

Sayagaki: Bitchu no Kuni Nakaji Ju Moritsugu
Nagasa: 2 shaku 3 sun 3 bu and a bit more
Written in October, 1954 (Showa 29)
Hon’ami Kōson (with kaō)

We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This work is ranked as Saijyo Saku (the highest ranking) for Bishu Nakaji Ju Moritsugu.

Habaki:Gold-covered double habaki
Blade Length:2 shaku 3 sun 4 bu — 71.0 cm (27.95 in)
Curvature:9 bu — 2.7 cm (1.06 in)
Mekugi Hole:3
Width at Base (Motohaba):2.73 cm (1.07 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba):1.08 cm (0.43 in)
Thickness (Kasane):0.65 cm (0.26 in)
Sword Weight:690 g

Shape:　Well-balanced in width and thickness, with deep curvature.
Jigane: fine ko-itame-hada with Jinie and visible utsuri.
Hamon:Nie-based small gunome-midare with thick and soft nioikuchi, small nie, active kinsuji and sunagashi.

Features: This blade bears the signature “Bitchu no Kuni Nakaji Ju Moritsugu Saku”, corresponding to the Ko-Aoe school.
It has been certified as a Juyo Token (16th edition), and the sayagaki by Hon’ami Kōson was written in 1954.
The blade has deep curvature and displays itame-hada with mokume and some masame, showing clear utsuri, giving a strong sense of age.
The note states that the upper part is difficult to identify and further examination will be needed.
As it bears a tachi-mei, it is unquestionably a Bitchu work, and more materials in the future may confirm its attribution.
The combination of the hamon, curvature, and jigane suggests this is a work from the late Kamakura period.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: iron tsuba features openwork carving of chrysanthemum and flowing water.
Fuchi: Shibuichi base
Kashira: Horn
Menuki: Design of a dragon

16th NBTHK Juyo Certificate
Aoi Art Estimation Paper
whole oshigata

Please note: the price does not include the shipping fees.