AS25420 Katana:Mumei (attribution to Osafune Yasumitsu)(NBTHK Hozon Token)

Ordering number:AS25420

Katana in Shirasaya (NBTHK Hozon Token)

Signature: Mumei (attribution to Osafune Yasumitsu)
無銘 (底銘)康光(長船康光)

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 works attributed to Mumei (Yasumitsu of Osafune).
Habaki: Single-layered plain copper with silver overlay
Blade Length: 67.8 cm (26.69 in)
Curvature: 2.1 cm (0.83 in)
Mekugi Hole: 3
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.79 cm (1.10 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 1.56 cm (0.61 in)
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.69 cm (0.27 in)
Sword Weight: 555 g
Era: Muromachi period, around the Oei era (circa late 14th to early 15th century)
Shape: Deep curvature with ubu-nakago (unaltered tang), and wide boshi. Bo-hi grooves are carved on both sides.
Jigane: Well-forged small itame-hada with visible utsuri.
Hamon: Suguha in nioi-deki with active ko-ashi and kinsuji. Boshi is slightly midare-komi.

Features:　According to the NBTHK, this sword was judged as having an attribution signature.
Indeed, there are remnants in the tang that appear to be a signature.
The reason why it was not accepted as an original mei is unclear, but the workmanship is very fine, and it is regrettable that it received only a bottom signature attribution.
This is a work from the Muromachi period, around the Oei era, and the beauty of the jigane is particularly notable.

Aoi Art’s Comment:　Most swords by Yasumitsu and Morimitsu from the Oei period are generally small in size, but long blades like this one are extremely rare.
This is a very rare and highly recommended piece with excellent craftsmanship.

NBTHK Hozon Token Certificate
Aoi Art estimation paper
Whole Oshigata