AS25148 Tachi: Bishu Osafune Morimitsu(1424)(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Tachi in Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Inscription:
Bishu Osafune Morimitsu 備州長船盛光
Ouei 31 Nen 2Gatsu Hi 応永三十一年二月日

We divide works in to Saijo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku,and Regular Saku.
This piece is ranked as Jyojyo Saku for Osafune Morimitsu.

Habaki: gold-plated double habaki
Blade Length: 71.2cm (28.03in)
Curvature: 0.7cm (0.28in)
Width at Base(Motohaba): 2.86cm (1.13in)
Width at tip(Sakihaba):1.61cm (0.63in)
Thickness: 0.66cm (0.26in)
Blade Weight: 590g

Era: the early Muromachi period, 1424

Shape: think and thick straight blade with Suriage and Machiokuri
Jigane: Itame hada and Mokume hada with Chikei and Utsuri.
Hamon: Gunome and Choji midare with Ko-ashi and yo. Boshi is pointed and turns back. This shape is one of Morimitsu’s characteristics and is often compared to a candle.

Features:
The Bizen swordsmiths of the early Muromachi period are referred to as Oei-Bizen, among whom Morimitsu and Yasumitsu are regarded as the two great masters.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: Round-shaped iron tsuba with openwork and inlaid carving of spider web.
Fuchikashira: Shakudo nanako plate with chrysanthemum
Menuki: a picture of pine trees and birds
Wari-Kogai: iron plate

From Aoi-Art: Although this balde is Suriage and Machiokuri, it shows characteristics of Ouei Bizen well and the quolity is good.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate
Aoi-Art estimation Paper
whole Oshigata