AS25074 Katana: Bizen Kuni Osafune Sukesada Saku(1581)(NBTHK Hozon Token)

Katana: Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Hozon Token)

Signature: Bizen Kuni Osafune Sukesada Saku
Dated: February, 1581
備前国長船祐定作
天正九年二月日

We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This piece is ranked as for a sword by Bizen Kuni Osafune Sukesada Saku.

Habaki: Single-piece habaki of suaka (copper) with silver plating.
Blade Length: 69.2 cm (27.24 in)
Curvature: 1.4 cm (0.55 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.13 cm (1.23 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 2.28 cm (0.90 in)
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.69 cm (0.27 in)
Sword Weight: 765 g

Era: Muromachi period, 1581

Shape: slightly curved blade with long kissaki.
Jigane: Itame hada with partially intense grain pattern.
Hamon: Suguha base with Koashi and small turbulent. Boshi is Notare and rounded.

Features:
The Bishū Osafune Sukesada was a group of swordsmiths active in the late Muromachi period. As this was during the height of the Sengoku (Warring States) period, there was a high demand for swords, and many were produced in Bizen and Mino provinces. Sukesada operated a large workshop with many craftsmen and mass-produced swords bearing the same signature

Koshirae:
Tsuba: Round shaped iron tsuba with openwork carving.
Kōgai: Design of Zen monks under a tree on a brass base.
Fuchikashira: Daruma Daishi (Bodhidharma) and mallet motif on a plain copper base
Menuki: design of Daruma Daishi.

NBTHK Hozon Certificate
Aoi Art estimation paper: Whole Oshigata