AS25306 Katana: Bizen Kuni Ju Osafune Sukesada Saku (NBTHK Hozon Token)(Consignment Sale)

Katana: in Shirasaya (NBTHK Hozon Token)

Signature:
Bizen Kuni Ju Osafune Sukesada Saku
備前国住長船祐定作
Eisho 16 Nen 8Gatsu Kichijitsu (A fortunate day in August,1519)
永正十六年八月吉日　　　　

Sayagaki: Bizen Kuni Ju Osafune Sukesada
Dated: Eisho 16 (1519), with back inscription
Blade length: 2 shaku 2 sun 1 bu (approx. 66.9 cm)
Price: 350 gold coins
Written on December 16, 1946
By President of the Hakusuikai Society for Japanese Sword Studies, Inami Hakusui.

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 of Bizen Kuni Ju Osafune Sukesada.

Habaki: Wooden Habaki
Blade Length: 66.9 cm (26.34 in)
Curvature: 0 cm (0.00 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.27 cm (1.29 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 2.06 cm (0.81 in)
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.76 cm (0.30 in)
Sword Weight: 615 g
Era: the late Muromachi period (1519)
Shape: a sword with no curveture
Jigane: Koitame hada with Utsuri
Hamon: Gunome and Choji midare with Boshi midarekomi style.

Features: This piece is a rare example of a Muromachi-period sword with no curvature.
The purpose behind this design is unclear, but it is said that swords without curvature were well-suited for thrusting and were easier to handle even for infantry with limited training.　Given that this sword was made in 1519, during a period of widespread warfare across Japan, there may have been a particular need or practical reason for such a form.

NBTHK Hozon Token Certificate
Aoi Art estimation paper: Whole Oshigata