AS25618 刀：無名(伝 正宗)(特別保存刀剣)(委託品)

Ordering number: AS25618

Katana in Shirasaya (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token) (Consignment Sale)

Signature: Mumei (attributed to Den Masamune)
無名(伝　正宗)

Sayagaki: By Hon’ami Choshiki
Kamakura Gorō Nyūdō Masamune
Length: 2 shaku 1 sun 1 bu (approx. 64 cm)
Machiokuri, unsigned
Price: 500 coins
“This sword is purely made by…” (rest is illegible)
Dated August 26, 1884
Authentication for Mr. Teranishi by Hon’ami Choshiki

Description: This sword represents a typical style of this attributed smith.
The sayagaki, dated 1746 (Enkyō 3, Mizunoe-Tatsu), was written by a connoisseur residing in Nawarihari, Iga Province, and refers to a koshirae with gold brocade and black lacquer.

We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This piece is ranked as Jyojyo Saku (upper-upper grade) for a Mumei sword attributed to Masamune.
Habaki: Single-layered, gold-plated
Blade Length: 65.2 cm (25.67 in)
Curvature: 1.5 cm (0.59 in)
Mekugi Hole: 2
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.25 cm (1.28 in)
Width at Yokote (Sakihaba): 2.54 cm (1.00 in)
Thickness of Rim (Kasane): 0.47 cm (0.19 in) – Thin
Shape:The width from base to tip is consistent, with a well-defined curvature.
The kissaki is long.
The itame hada of the shinogi-ji is well-forged with a faint utsuri.
Inside the boshi, kinsuji and inazuma are visible.
Jigane: The finely forged ko-itame hada includes visible chikei in the boshi.
Inazuma, chikei, and kinsuji are clearly visible throughout the ji.
Overall, the finely forged ko-itame produces a beautiful jigane.
Hamon: Nioi-based with small irregular gunome midare containing kinsuji.
The boshi is midare-komi with clear appearances of kinsuji and inazuma within the hamon.

Features: Masamune was a renowned swordsmith from Sagami Province, active from the late Kamakura to early Nanbokucho period.
Hon’ami Choshiki was a distinguished sword appraiser of the Meiji era and is still regarded as one of the most reputable by modern experts.
This piece is entrusted to us for consignment sale.
Both the motohaba and sakihaba are solid, though the kasane is thin.
Notably, kinsuji and inazuma appear strikingly black in the hamon near the kissaki, with kinsuji also appearing in the ji, giving the appearance of a “moon ring.”

Aoi Art’s Comment:I have rarely seen swords attributed to Masamune.
What surprised me most is the sayagaki by the famous Hon’ami Choshiki from the Meiji period.
Near the kissaki, the tempering is slightly broader, with a deep nioiguchi, resulting in a soft impression.
I highly recommend this sword.
It likely does not require polishing, but as it has an old polish, I advise selecting a skilled polisher with great care should it ever be polished.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token
Aoi Art estimation paper / Whole Oshigata