AS25443 Katana: Mumei (Iwato Ichimonji) (also known as Shochu Ichimonji)(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Ordering number:AS25443

Katana in Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature: Mumei (Iwato Ichimonji) (also known as Shochu Ichimonji)
無銘(岩戸一文字)(正中一文字)

We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This work is ranked as Jyojyo Saku (Upper Superior Work) as a mumei sword attributed to Iwato Ichimonji.
Habaki: Double-layered gold foil habaki
Blade Length: 64.8 cm (25.51 in)
Curvature: 2.0 cm (0.79 in)
Mekugi Hole: 2
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.87 cm (1.13 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 1.51 cm (0.59 in)
Thickness of Rim (Kasane): 0.67 cm (0.26 in)
Sword Weight: 565 grams
Shape:Slightly wide at the base with thick kasane, deep curvature, and a somewhat extended kissaki.
Jigane:Ko-itame hada, well-forged and dense, with a bright and elegant utsuri in Ichimonji style.
Hamon:Nioi-deki with active choji-midare.
The omote side displays a stunning Ichimonji-style hamon with clear activity.
On the ura side, the hamon begins with vibrant choji-midare near the base, then transitions into a calmer, wider suguha towards the tip.
However, the utsuri remains active, creating a flamboyant appearance.

Features: Iwato Ichimonji is also known as Shochu Ichimonji or Bishu Iwato.
This school emerged in the late Kamakura period, around the time of the Mongol invasions.
This sword shows active midare from the base, continuing in the style of Fukuoka Ichimonji to the middle of the blade.
Toward the kissaki, the omote maintains the same style, while the ura shifts to a suguha style from around the monouchi.
The choji-midare is intense, with flamboyant utsuri.
The boshi is midare-komi and ends in a rounded return.
The shinogiji features fine ko-itame with some mokume visible, along with well-defined utsuri and masaga.
What makes this Ichimonji blade particularly striking is the vivid hamon and intense utsuri.
A closer look reveals sunagashi and kinsuji along the hamon, further enhancing its brilliance.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: Circular iron tsuba with openwork carving.
Gold iroe (colored inlay) applied to the rim.
Fuchikashira: Shakudo nanako ground with high-relief carvings of items such as umbrellas and straw coats, decorated with gold inlay.
Saya: Glossy black lacquer saya
Menuki: High-relief carvings of tools with gold inlay.

Aoi Art’s Comment: This is a flamboyant example of Shochu Ichimonji from the late Kamakura period.
It is said that such vivid hamon styles were developed during this era.
A highly recommended and beautifully crafted piece.

*There is a crack on upfront of Habaki area. Please be careful when you order this.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token
Aoi Art estimation paper: Whole Oshigata