AS25271 Katana： Mumei (attributed to Omiya)(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Katana in Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature: Mumei (attributed to Omiya)
無銘(大宮)　　

Sayagaki: Naoe Shizu, Suriage mumei blade
A fortunate day in Showa (date unclear)
Blade length: 2 shaku 3 sun (approx. 69.7 cm)
Inscription by Dr. Kansan (with kaō)

We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This work, though unsigned (Mumei), attributed to Omiya, is ranked as Jyojyo Saku (superior work).
Habaki: Gold-plated double habaki
Blade Length: 69.8 cm (27.48 in)
Curvature: 1.8 cm (0.71 in)
Mekugi Hole: 4 (3 filled)
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.04 cm (1.20 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 2.10 cm (0.83 in)
Thickness of Rim (Kasane): 0.65 cm (0.26 in)
Sword Weight: 715 g
Era: Nanbokucho period (1336–1392)
Shape:A sword with standard width, solid thickness, and a slight curvature. suriage mumei katana.
Jigane:Well-forged itame-hada with visible grain, fine ji-nie, and visible utsuri.
Hamon:Nie-deki gunome-midare with height variations, featuring kinsuji within the blade.
The boshi is midare-komi and turns in a sweeping manner (hakikake).

Features: The Bizen Omiya school began when the progenitor of the group moved from Omiya in Inokuma, Yamashiro Province, to Bizen.
Signatures such as Bizen Osafune Morikage are known among this school.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: Round iron tsuba with clouds and a tiger in high relief, glaring fiercely.
Signature: Made by Wakō.
Fuchikashira: Brass base with tiger’s face carved in high relief.
Saya (Scabbard): Glossy black lacquer finish.
Menuki: Shakudo base with tigers in high relief.

Aoi Art’s Comment: This sword was once attributed to Naoye Shizu by Kansan-sensei in the saya inscription, but it has now been appraised as Omiya.
In my opinion, the yaki-ba is very well executed, with a beautifully defined nioiguchi, and the boshi shows an elegant midare-komi with sweeping return (hakikake), indicating a work of high quality.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token Certificate
Aoi Art Estimation Paper: Includes whole oshigata