AS25691 Katana： Mumei (attributed to Kawachi Daijo Fujiwara Masahiro) (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Ordering number:AS25691

Katana in Shirasaya (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature: Mumei (attributed to Kawachi Daijo Fujiwara Masahiro)
無銘(河内大掾藤原忠広)

Sayagaki: By Tanobe-sensei
Hizen Kuni Kawachi Daijo Fujiwara Masahiro
O-suriage with no remaining original mekugi-ana.
The sword shows a wide body with shallow curvature and an extended kissaki.
Forged with fine, well-knit kome-nuka-hada, the hamon is a dynamic mix of choji midare with small gunome, featuring deep nioi and abundant ashi and yo.
The nioiguchi is bright and clear, expressing great movement and clearly displaying the characteristic style of the smith.
This is an excellent piece.
It is regrettable that the signature has been lost due to the suriage.
Blade length: 2 shaku 6 bu 5 rin (approximately 68.6 cm / 27.01 in)
Date: Year of Tsuchinoto-mi, Nagatsuki (1769, September)
Appraised by Tanzan with Kao

We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This work is ranked as Saijyo Saku, the highest grade, among the unsigned works attributed to Kawachi Daijo Fujiwara Tadahiro.

Habaki: Double-layered, gold-covered
Blade Length: 2 shaku 2 sun 7 bu (approximately 68.8 cm / 27.09 in)
Curvature: 4 bu (approximately 1.21 cm / 0.48 in)
Mekugi Holes: 2
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.32 cm (1.31 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 2.46 cm (0.97 in)
Thickness (Kasane): 0.76 cm (0.30 in)
Sword Weight: 745 g
Shape: The blade has a wide body and a thick kasane, giving a strong impression.
Jigane: Ko-itame hada, well-forged and tightly packed, representing the refined Hizen jigane.
Hamon: Nie-deki with gunome-midare, deeply forged nioiguchi reaching the cutting edge—this can be described as a top-grade hamon.

Features: This blade has been awarded the NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token certification, a rare distinction even among Shinto and Shinshinto swords.
At the Token Museum, there are only four or five mumei (unsigned) blades that have been designated Tokubetsu Hozon, reflecting the extremely strict standards required for such a classification.
It is believed that this blade was judged to meet those standards due to its exceptional craftsmanship.
At first glance, it appears to be a suriage (shortened) koto blade.
It is likely that this work is a masterpiece by Masahiro, modified to resemble a koto.
However, certain elements such as the boshi’s return (kaeri) differ from typical koto features.
It is regrettable that the blade was shortened; otherwise, it would likely have passed as a Juyo Token without issue.

Aoi Art’s Comment: Among Shinto blades, I have always considered the works of Kawachi Daijo Masahiro or the second-generation Masahiro to be the highest rated.
This particular piece features a midare-style hamon that is gently misted, with a soft, almost smoky appearance.
Even though the signature has been removed, the beautiful hamon remains intact.
As mentioned earlier, there are only four or five blades designated as Tokubetsu Hozon Token under a mumei kantei.
Given this rarity and quality, we highly recommend you consider acquiring this blade.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token
Aoi Art estimation paper
Whole Oshigata

Please note: The price does not include the international shipping fees.