AS25494 Wakizashi in Shirasaya, with Koshirae (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token) Signature: Bishu Osafune Yasumitsu Date: Bunan 4, 2nd Month (February, 1447)

Ordering number:AS25494

Wakizashi in Shirasaya, with Koshirae (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature: Bishu Osafune Yasumitsu
Date: Bunan 4, 2nd Month (February, 1447)
備州長船康光
文安二二年二月日

Sayagaki: by Mr. Tanobe
Bishu Osafune Yasumitsu, made in Bunan 4.
He is considered one of the smiths of the Eikyo Bizen school, which served as a bridge between the Oei Bizen and Sue Bizen traditions.
This work, though very similar in style to Oei Bizen, shows certain traits of the period such as slightly lower koshi-midare.
Both workmanship and preservation are outstanding among his works.
Length: 1 shaku 8 sun 7 bu (approx. 56.7 cm)
Signed in the month of Kiyowazuki in the year of Tsuchinoto-mi
Inscribed by Tanzan (kao)

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 Yasumitsu.
Habaki: Single-layered gold foil.
Blade Length: 56.7 cm (22.32 in)
Curvature: 2.2 cm (0.87 in)
Mekugi Hole: 3 (2 plugged)
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.59 cm (1.02 in)
Width at Tip: 1.67 cm (0.66 in)
Thickness: 0.58 cm (0.23 in)
Sword Weight: 480 grams
Era: Mid Muromachi period, around Bunan (1444–1449)
Shape: The blade has been slightly shortened by about 3 cm. A relatively long wakizashi.
Jigane: Well-forged ko-itame hada with faint utsuri.
Hamon: Made in nioi-deki style with roundish gunome-midare. The boshi is midare-komi with a small round tip. The nioiguchi is deep.

Features:
Chuko-to (middle period sword).
Wazamono.
Jyo Saku.
Bizen tradition.
In the early Muromachi period, Bizen swordsmiths were known as Oei Bizen, and Yasumitsu, alongside Morimitsu, is considered one of its leading figures.
This piece is well-preserved and features a beautiful koshirae.
The presence of the date “Bunan” confirms it as the work of the second-generation Yasumitsu.

Aoi Art’s Comment:
The date inscribed on the tang reads “Bunan 4, 2nd Month.”
The “22nd year” actually represents the 4th year, as the number 4 (shi) was avoided due to its phonetic association with death.
A solid and well-preserved piece.
Although slightly shortened, the boshi remains intact and well-formed.
The first generation worked in the Oei era, and this piece corresponds to the second generation.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: Deeply carved waves.
Signature: Hakugyoku-do / Jusui
Fuchikashira & Kojiri: Silver base engraved with wave patterns.
Saya (Scabbard): Glossy black lacquer with gold maki-e of flowers and butterflies.
Menuki: Floral design carved in shakudo with gold highlights.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token
Aoi Art estimation paper: Whole Oshigata