AS25252 Katana: Mumei (Unsigned)(Senjuin)(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)(Consignment Sale)

Katana in Shirasaya (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature: Mumei (Unsigned)(Senjuin, 千手院)

Sayagaki:
Yamato Koku Senjyuin
This is an unsigned blade with Osuriage. It has a noticeable taper from the base to the tip, ending in a small kissaki. The jigane features flowing itame hada, and the hamon is a suguha with small irregularities mixed in. Sunagashi and Hotsure intertwine within the hamon, and the Jigane and Hamon are well covered in Nie. Boshi is much Hakikake. They shows strong characteristics of the Yamato style, and amonf them, this work can be attricuted to Senjuin, exhibiting a calm and refined atmosphere with profound flavor. It is likely a work not later than the Kamakura period. Blade length: under 2 shaku 5 sun 7 bu (approx. 77.8 cm).
written by Tanzan in October, 2020.

We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This blade is ranked as Jyojyo Saku among works by Mumei (Senjuin).

Habaki: Double-layered, gold-plated
Blade Length: 77.9 cm (30.67 in)
Curvature: 1.5 cm (0.59 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1.5
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.89 cm (1.14 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 1.65 cm (0.65 in)
Thickness (Kasane): 0.62 cm (0.24 in)
Sword Weight: 735 g
Era: Kamakura period,12-13th century
Shape: long tapered blade with Boshi
Jigane: Itame hada with some rough area and Utsuri
Hamon: Nioi base blurred Suguha with Sunagashi and Hakikake Boshi.

Features: Senjuin is one of the five Yamato schools and is said to have served Tōdai-ji Temple from the late Heian period through the Nanbokuchō period.　At the time, Tōdai-ji wielded immense power and maintained its own warrior monks as a military force. It is said that swordsmiths were commissioned to forge weapons at the temple’s request.

Aoi Art’s Comment:
This piece is extremely valuable, with its shape and jigane strongly reflecting the character of an early work. Please treasure it with great care.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token Certificate
Aoi Art Estimation Paper with Whole Oshigata