AS25765 Tachi: Bizen Osafune Ju Shigemasa (December 1334)(the 46th Juyo Token)

Ordering number:AS25765

Tachi in Shirasaya (the 46th Juyo Token)

Signature:
Bizen Osafune Ju Shigemasa　備州長船住重真
Kenmu Gan-nen Juni-gatsu Hi 建武元年十二月日 (December 1334)

We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This sword is ranked as Saijyo Saku (the highest level) among the works of Bizen Osafune ju Shigemasa.

Sayagaki(translation) by Tanobe Tanzan
This sword bears a seven-character signature together with a date inscription from the first year of Kenmu (1334). It has survived in its original condition with an ubu-nakago (unaltered tang), featuring an impressive long blade and a powerful sugata characterized by pronounced koshizori, a broad and robust base that tapers toward the tip, and a medium-sized kissaki.

The smith is said　to have been the younger brother of Motoshige. Their working periods and styles are closely related, and his workmanship is known for reflecting the Bizen style of the period while also exhibiting characteristics associated with the Aoe school.

The jigane displays an itame-hada mixed with mokume, flowing masame and jifu, while vivid midare-utsuri appears clearly throughout the surface. The hamon is primarily suguha-based, incorporating ko-choji, ko-gunome, and angular-gunome elements. It is richly filled with ashi and yo, representing not only a typical example of the smith’s work but also one of exceptional quality. It can truly be regarded as one of the finest works by this smith.
Examples that have survived to the present day with such a long blade and an ubu tang are especially rare and highly valuable.

Habaki: gold-plated double habaki
Blade Length: 81.9 cm (32.24 in)
Curvature: 2.1 cm (0.83 in)
Mekugi Hole: 2
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.23 cm (1.27 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 2.08 cm (0.82 in)
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.62 cm (0.24 in)
Sword Weigh: :795grams

Era: early Nanbokucho period, 1334

Shape: wide and long balde with deep curvature.
Jigane: A mixture of itame and mokume with fine Chikei. Utsuri and Jihu appears.
Hamon: Suguha and small gunome and choji with frequent Ashi and Yo.

Features:
Bishu Osafune Shigezane was a swordsmith active from the late Kamakura period to the Nanbokucho period and is traditionally said to have been tht brother of Motoshige. Their works are characterized by　a blend of Bizen and Aoe elements.
This sword retains its original long tachi form with an ubu tang and bears a date inscription from 1334, , the year following the fall of the Kamakura Shogunate, making it a work of considerable historical and documentary importance. In addition, the tightly forged, bright jigane displays vivid midare-utsuri, while the hamon is executed in ko-midare with abundant ashi and yo throughout, resulting in an exceptionally high level of workmanship.

NBTHK 46th Juyo Certificate
Aoi Art appraisal paper
Full Oshigata

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