AS23097 Katana:Bi ? Osa ? Sukesada(judged as Bishu Osafune Sukesada)(NBTHK Hozon Token)

Ordering number: AS23097
Katana in Koshirae(NBTHK Hozon Token)

Signature: Bi ? Osa ? Sukesada(judged as Bishu Osafune Sukesada)
備□長□祐定(備州長船祐定)
? Gatsu Hi
□月日

Sue Koto:Jyo saku:Bizen
(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo saku, Jyojyo saku Jyo saku and regular saku)
This sword belongs to Jyo saku ranking.
The blade is polished.
Habaki: Copper Habaki
Blade length:69.0cm or 27.16inches.
Sori:2.0cm or 0.78inches.
Mekugi:1
Width at the hamachi:3.25cm or 1.27inches.
Width at the Kissaki:2.25cm or 0.88inches.
Kasane:0.76cm or 0.29inches.
The weight of the sword:855grams
Era: Around the late Muromachi period
Shape: The blade is broad and thick with deep Sori and longer Kissaki. There is Suriage but no Machiokuri.
Jigane: Mokumehada is dense to be elaborate Jigane with light Utsuri. It is similar to the Jigane of Kiyomitsu.
Hamon: Niedeki Suguha with Gunomemidare and Ashi. Boshi turns back round.

Special feature: This work is made in the late Muromachi period. Jigane is in good condition.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: Modern work. Higo Tsuba.
Fuchikashira: Modern Fuchikashira. Iron plate with Kuyomon crest engraving and gold color.
Saya: Gray Saya with black patterns.
Menuki: Warrior with hand fan is engraved with gold color.
Kojiri: Iron plate. Kuyomon crest is engraved.
Kurigata: Iron plate with gold color engraving.
Semegane: Iron plate. Patterns are engraved with gold color.

From Aoi Art: This blade is a powerful work by Sukesada. It has only one Mekugi hole. The blade is well-shaped and Koshirae is nice though some parts are modern works.
*if you want to re-wrap Tsuka thread, it is available at 30,000JPY additionally.

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