AS22551 Katana: Mumei (Osafune Kiyomitsu)(NBTHK Hozon Token)

Ordering number: AS22551

Katana in Shirasaya with Koshirae.(NBTHK Hozon Token)

Signature:　Mumei (Osafune Kiyomitsu)
無銘(長船清光）

Sayagaki: written by Toan.
Bizen Koku Osafune Goro Zaemon Jo Kiyomitsu
Tenbun 4 Nen 2 Gatsu Hi
Blade length is 2 Shaku 2 Sun 7 bu.
Showa Hinoe-Ne Shinshun (Spring 1936)

(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo saku, Jyo-jyo saku Jyo saku and regular saku)
This sword belongs to Joy Jyo saku ranking.
The blade was polished.
Habaki :　copper double habaki.
Blade length : 68.2 cm or 26.85 inches.
Sori :1.8 cm or 0.70 inches.
Mekugi : 1
Width at the hamachi : 3.05cm or 1.20 inches.
Width at the Kissaki : 2.3 cm or 0.90 inches.
Kasane : 0.7 cm or 0.27 inches.
The weight of the sword 700 grams.
Era : Muromachi period around Eiroku era.
Shape : Wide and thick Katana. tehre are Bo-Hi on both side of the blade.
Jigane : Ko Itame hada well grained with Jinie attach.
There are Utsuri. The Jigane is wonderful.
Hamon : Ko Nie Deki, Suguha. The Nioikuchi, there are thick and tight parts.
Boshi is round and pointed style.

Special feature: Harima, Mimasaka and Bizen province had been prospered
under the protection of the Akamatsu family. Above all,
Bizen province has turned out a great many talented swordsmiths.
A large number of swords were made there in the late Muromachi period
not only supplying the demand of the Age of Provincial Wars in Japan
but also as an important exporting item to the Ming dynasty in China.
It is said that the founder of Osafune School was Mitsutada in mid 13th
century. Kiyomitsu was one of osafune swordsmith.
The name had been succeeded for generations.
Above all, Gorozaemon (No) Jo Kiyomitsu circa Tenmon era
and Magoemon (No) Jo Kiyomitsu are famous among them.

Koshirae : Handachi Koshirae.(*The color of the Sageo is different from the image)
Saya : It reminds of Negoko. Black color Saya with red color.
Aruond the Koikuchi part is Inro Kizami.
Tsuba :Round shape iron Tsuba with some pattern is engraved.
Menuki : Brass, dragon is engraved.

From Aoi Art: This Kiyomitsu Katana’s Jigane is so nice, and clear, and appeared Utsuri.
It reminds of Magouemon. On the Nakago, the signature is faintly visible. But details are unknown.
The shape is elegant Eiroku era style. The Koshirae is not gorgeous.
We recommend this Katana for appreciation.
In my opinion, this work is considered to be comparable to the Zokumyouchi high-ranking blade.