AS22467 Katana: Mumei (judged as Aoe school)(NBTHK the 63rd Juyo Token)

Ordering number: AS22467

Katana in Shirasaya with Koshirae(NBTHK the 63rd Juyo Token)
(Koshirae: NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Tosogu)

Signature: Mumei (judged as Aoe school)
無銘（青江）

Sayagaki(translation): Designated as NBTHK the 63rd Juyo Token. Bicchu Kuni Aoe Osuriage Mumei. Beautiful and calm Suguha Hamon. Jigane has layers of Suji-Utsuri and Midare-Utsuri: so called Dan-Utsuri is shaped . The blade shows the characteristics of Aoe school in the late Kamakura period. This swordsmith has succeeded, as the writer believes, the best to trace Yoshitsugu. The length: 2Shaku 4 Bu and half. Written by Tanzan(Kao)

Middle Koto: O Wazamono: Jyojyo saku: Bicchu
(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo saku, Jyojyo saku Jyo saku and regular saku)
This sword belongs to Saijyo saku ranking.
habaki: Gold foiled single Habaki
The blade is polished.
Blade length:62.0cm or 24.40inches.
Sori:1.92cm or 0.75inches.
Mekugi:3
Width at the hamachi:2.63cm or 1.03inches.
Width at the Kissaki:1.60cm or 0.62inches.
Kasane:0.6cm or 0.23inches.
The weight of the sword:480grams
Era: The late Kamakura period(around 1330)
Shape: Osuriage Mumei. the blade is normally thick with deep sori and Hi on the both sides and slightly longer Kissaki. Well-shaped Tachi.
Jigane: Koitamehada is grained with Ko Mokumehada elaborately. Jinie is attached with clear Utsuri.
Hamon: Koniedeki suguha. Small Koashi comes into the edge of Ha.

Special feature: Aoe school is as famous as Kobizen. They made works with unique atmosphere from the Heian era. This work was made in the late Kamakura period. This work is called “Yoshitsugu” or also as Uemon, an early swordsmith in Chu-Aoe school. This swordsmith has works with Manju Soju engraving like Tsunetsugu. Most of his works are Suguha-deki.

Koshirae:
Fuchikashira: Shakudo plate. Patterns are engraved with gold color.
Tsuba: Round-shaped iron Tsuba. Pine trees and clouds are engraved with gold color.
Saya: Beautiful Kizamisaya
Menuki: Dragon is engraved with gold colored metal.(not sure whether it is a gold or not.)

From Aoi Art: This work is thin, but it has deep Sori and lots of Utsuri. The Utsuri has layers of Suji-Utsuri and Midare-Utsuri. They are very vivid and beautiful. Utsuri is beautiful on the Tachi-ji. Jigane is beautiful, too. Recently it was designated as Juyo Token. Additionally, Koshirae is also nicely-made with beauty fittings. We truly recommend this to you.

NBTHK 63rd Juyo Token paper
Koshirae: NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Tosogu
Aoi Art estimation paper: whole Oshigata　by　Ayaka Tsuruta