AS25493 Katana:Mumei (Ichimonji) (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token) (Consignment Sale) Signature: Mumei (Ichimonji)

Ordering number:AS25493

Katana: Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token) (Consignment Sale)

Signature: Mumei (Ichimonji)
無銘 (一文字)

Sayagaki: Bizen Koku Fukuoka Ichimonji
O-suriage, Mumei, dated to the mid-Kamakura period
Length: 2 shaku 3 sun 5 bu
Written in February, Showa 52 (1977)
By Hon’ami Nisshu (kao)
*This Sayagaki was written by Hon’ami Nisshu, a Living National Treasure.

We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This work is ranked as Jyojyo Saku among the works attributed to Mumei (Ichimonji) – Fukuoka Ichimonji.
Habaki: Solid gold habaki (53 g) (Seppa: 40 g)
Blade Length: 71.1 cm (27.99 in)
Curvature: 2.2 cm (0.87 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.40 cm (1.34 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 2.06 cm (0.81 in)
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.63 cm (0.25 in)
Sword Weight: 775 g
Era: Late Kamakura period
Shape: The blade is wide with thick kasane and a deep curvature.
The kissaki is slightly extended.
Jigane: Fine itame mixed with mokume hada, with utsuri appearing.
The shinogiji is clearly visible, showing the hamon of the late Kamakura period well.
Hamon: From the hamachi, small gunome-midare develops, expanding into large midare around the middle, then becoming small gunome-midare again toward the tip.
Near the boshi, it softens into gentle gunome-midare.
The boshi is midare and turns back slightly.
Kinsuji activity is present.
On the omote side of the tachi, clear utsuri appears; on the ura side, utsuri is seen in the front section.

Features: The Bizen Ichimonji school began in the early Kamakura period.
Works resembling Ko-Bizen from the early period are called Ko-Ichimonji.
The flamboyant works of the mid-Kamakura period are called Fukuoka Ichimonji.
Those from the late Kamakura period are called Yoshioka Ichimonji.
There are also other branches such as Katayama Ichimonji and Iwato Ichimonji.
This blade is an excellent example of the flamboyant Fukuoka Ichimonji style from the late Kamakura period.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: Round iron tsuba with openwork of tomoe crest.
Kozuka: Shakudo base with plant design, partially in gold inlay.
Fuchi: —
Kashira: Horn
Saya: Glossy black lacquer saya
Menuki: Shakudo base (design unknown)
Seppa: Solid gold (40 g)

Aoi Art’s Comment: This Tensho-style koshirae is often seen with luxurious Fukuoka Ichimonji blades.
At first glance, some may find it simple, but the kozuka is intricately crafted, and the menuki, made of shakudo nanako-ji, is finely carved.
The seppa are solid gold and quite thick at 40 g per set.
Additionally, the habaki is solid gold, weighing 53 g.
Luxurious details are applied in areas not easily seen.
We highly recommend this magnificent Ichimonji blade.
Fukuoka Ichimonji refers to works from the late Kamakura period.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token
Aoi Art estimation paper: Whole Oshigata