AS24846 Katana: Mumei (attributed to Kongobyoe)(NBTHK Hozon Token)

Katana in Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Hozon Token)

Signature: Mumei (attributed to Kongobyoe)
無銘(金剛兵衞)

We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku. This work is ranked as Jyo Saku among the works attributed to Mumei (Kongobei).
Habaki: Silver single-layered Habaki
Blade Length: 70.3 cm (27.68 in)
Curvature: 2.0 cm (0.79 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.12 cm (1.23 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 2.13 cm (0.84 in)
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.67 cm (0.26 in)
Sword Weight: 700 g
Era: Muromachi period, around Meiō era (1492–1501) It is said that the Kongobei line dates back to the Kamakura period. This work is considered to be from the late Muromachi period.
Shape: The blade is wide with deep curvature, a long Kissaki, and shows an excellent shape.
Jigane: Itame-hada with a flowing pattern.
Hamon: A Nioi-based Suguha with a double-edged Hamon and Uchioke activity, resulting in a bright blade. Boshi: Formed with a double-edged Hamon.

Features: The name Kongobei refers generally to Mori (Moritaka) of Chikuzen province. One distinctive feature of Moritaka blades is that the Nakago has a “Sotoba” (stupa) shape at the end. Almost all works by Chikuzen Ju Mori exhibit a Suguha Hamon, and typically have only one Mekugi hole.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: Iron Tsuba with openwork carving.
Menuki: Plant motifs carved and highlighted with gold. Fuchikashira and Kojiri: Iron base with carved patterns decorated with gold.
Saya (Scabbard): Black lacquered Saya with engraved patterns.

NBTHK Hozon Token
Aoi Art estimation paper: Whole Oshigata