AS22694 Katana：: Bizen Kuni Ju Osafune Kiyomitsu (Not Guaranteed as Authentic)

Ordering number:AS22694

Katana in Koshirae

Signature: Bizen Kuni Ju Osafune Kiyomitsu (Not Guaranteed as Authentic)
備前国住長船清光(無保証)

We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This blade is ranked as Jyo Saku among the works attributed to Bizen Kuni Ju Osafune Kiyomitsu (not guaranteed).
Habaki: Double-layered – gold-covered outer and plain copper inner
Blade Length: 67.6 cm (26.61 in)
Curvature: 3.3 cm (1.30 in)
Mekugi Hole: 2
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.90 cm (1.14 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 1.88 cm (0.74 in)
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.76 cm (0.30 in)
Era: Late Muromachi period (approx. late 1500s)
Shape: A well-balanced blade with standard width and thickness.
It features a deep curvature and an extended kissaki, showing elegant proportions.
Jigane: Well-forged ko-itame-hada with visible utsuri and clearly visible grain pattern.
Hamon: Nioi-deki with a kozumita chōji-midare mixed with small gunome-midare.
The blade shows age and includes sunagashi and kinsuji within the ha.
Well-made overall.

Features: Though the blade bears the signature “Bizen Kuni Ju Osafune Kiyomitsu”, the workmanship differs from known authentic examples.
Therefore, the signature is not considered genuine.
The actual production likely dates slightly earlier than the late Muromachi period.
It features deep curvature and an extended kissaki.
The blade shows utsuri and a compact chōji-midare hamon.
The jigane is a tight ko-itame with a subdued appearance.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: Iron base engraved with chrysanthemum patterns, inlaid with silver and other metals.
Fuchikashira: Shakudo base with high-relief floral motifs and gold iroe decoration.
Kashira: Shakudo with fine patterns and pine needle motifs detailed in gold.
Saya (Scabbard): Dark brown with grooves in inrō-style design.
Menuki: Shakudo with high-relief dragon design.

Aoi Art’s Comment: Although the blade bears the signature “Bizen Kuni Ju Osafune Kiyomitsu”, the workmanship differs and is not considered authentic.
It is likely a piece from the Bizen area.
The koshirae is well made, and the blade itself—with its deep curvature—is also of good quality.
Recommended.

Aoi Art estimation paper with whole oshigata