AS22131-Katana: Mumei(Shikkake)

Katana in Shirasaya(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)(consignment sale)

Signature: Mumei(Shikkake)
無銘（尻縣)　

(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo saku, Jyojyo saku Jyo saku and regular saku)
This sword belongs to Jyo-jyo saku ranking.
habaki: Gold foiled double Habaki.
The blade was polished.
Blade length:70.7cm or 27.83 inches.
Sori:1.7cm or 0.66inches.
Mekugi: 3
Width at the hamachi:3.06cm or 1.20inches.
Width at the Kissaki:2.24cm or 0.88inches.
Kasane:0.69 cm or 0.27inches.
The weight of the sword:855grams
Era: From the late Kamakura period to the early Nambokucho period.
Shape: Osuriage Mumei, the blade is broad and thick with big Sori and slightly big and longer Kissaki. Well-shaped work.
Jigane: Koitamehada is grained well with Jinie. The surface is rough.
Hamon: Niedeki Suguha. Ashi and Ha work well. Sunagashi and Kinsuji work in Hachu.
Boshi(right): turns back round to be Hakikake
Boshi(Legt): becomes round along the blade-edge and ends with Hakikake.

Special feature: Shikkake school is one of “Yamato Goha”(five schools from Yamato), and their characteristics are: mainly Suguha that has Ashi, mixed with Gunome. Each school made swords for the soldiers from each temple, so each school has their unique and original characteristics.

From Aoi Art: Shikkake school flourished in Yamato with its founder Norinaga. Kitae of its blade has nice Itamehada-ish Hamon with lots of Jinie. NBTHK judged this as Shikkake Norinaga, and we think it is made at least in the late Kamakura period. The blade is well-made and in a healthy condition. The blade looks powerful and as healthy as the Juyo Token works.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token
Aoi Art estimation paper: whole Oshigata　by　Ayaka Tsuruta