AS24521 Wakizashi: Mumei (Yamashiro Daijo Kunikane)(NBTHK Hozon Token)

Ordering number:AS24521

Wakizashi: Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Hozon Token)

Signature: Mumei (Yamashiro Daijo Kunikane)
無銘(山城大椽国包)

Shinto: Jyo Saku: Wazamono: Rikuzen
We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This piece is ranked as Jyo Saku (Upper Grade) for works attributed to Mumei (Yamashiro Daijo Kunikane).

Habaki: Double-layered gold-covered
Blade Length: 41.2 cm (16.22 in)
Curvature: 1.0 cm (0.39 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.01 cm (1.18 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 2.28 cm (0.90 in)
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.64 cm (0.25 in)
Sword Weight: 395 grams
Era: Early Edo period
Shape: A compact wakizashi.
Jigane: Ko-itame hada with strong masame pattern.
Hamon: Nie-based suguha with activities such as uchinoke and double hamon.
Sunagashi and kinsuji are actively seen within the ha.
The boshi is midare-komi and ends in yakitsume.

Features: Kunikane was a master of masame-hada, producing swords with this forging style from the first generation through to the end of the Edo period.
Masame-hada is considered a difficult technique, and in the kotō period, Hosho was known as the master of this method.
During the Edo period, Kunikane of Sendai was summoned by Date Masamune to the capital and became a disciple of the first-generation Echizen no Kami Masatoshi.
In Genna 1 (1615), the Osaka Campaign broke out, prompting Kunikane to return home and focus on forging swords.
In the following year, he once again studied under Masatoshi and completed his training by Genna 5.
In Kanei 3 (1626), he was granted the title Yamashiro Daijo.
In Kanei 15 (1638), he became a monk under the name Yokei.
In Shoho 2 (1645), he passed on his craft to his heir Kichizaemon and retired.
He passed away in Kanbun 4 (1664) at the age of 73.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: Circular iron tsuba carved with a design of dragons and waves.
Menuki: Made of shakudō, carved with tools, decorated with gold inlay.
Fuchikashira: Shakudō nanako ground, carved with a design of waves and carp, decorated with gold inlay.
Saya (Scabbard): Black lacquer with scattered blue shell inlay (aogai chirashi).
Kozuka: Shakudō nanako ground, carved with a horse motif, decorated with gold inlay.
Comes with kogatana (small knife).

Aoi Art’s Comment: This piece shows a prominent masame pattern in the jigane, with active sunagashi and kinsuji in the hamon, giving it a very clear and refined appearance.
We highly recommend this sword.

NBTHK Hozon Token（To be issued soon）
Aoi Art estimation paper
Whole Oshigata