AS26269 Katana：Mumei (Unsigned) (Osafune Masamitsu) 無銘(長船政光) (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Ordering Number: AS26269

Katana in Shirasaya (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature: Mumei (Unsigned) (Osafune Masamitsu)
無銘(長船政光)

Chukoto: Jo-saku: Bizen: Around the Joji era.
(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku).
This blade is ranked as Jyojyo Saku among works attributed to Mumei (Osafune Masamitsu).
Habaki: Single-layer gold-covered habaki.
Blade Length: 63.94 cm (25.17 in).
Curvature: 1.52 cm (0.60 in).
Mekugi Hole: 2.
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.22 cm (1.27 in).
Width at Yokote: 2.46 cm (0.97 in).
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.55 cm (0.22 in).
Sword Weight: 615 g.
Era: Nanbokucho period, around the Joji era (1362-1368).
Shape: This blade closely resembles the work of Kanemitsu, with a notably large boshi, and is considered to date from around the Joji era of the Nanbokucho period.
Jigane: Finely forged steel with prominent utsuri.
The omote is carved with a kenmaki-ryu entwined around a ken, a dokko, and a bohi with soehi in the upper section.
The ura is carved with a bohi and soehi together with a bonji.
Hamon: A rather compact gunome-midare.
The boshi is executed in the style characteristic of Kanemitsu.

Features: Masamitsu was a disciple of Kanemitsu and produced works from around the Enbun era through the Oei era during the Nanbokucho period.
This blade displays tightly forged ko-itame hada with excellent utsuri.
Most noteworthy are the carvings on the blade, which appear to be contemporary with its original manufacture.
According to Fujishiro’s reference work, there are examples of Kanemitsu-style blades bearing kenmaki-ryu carvings.
This is an old blade with magnificent carvings and is highly recommended.

Historical Background: The Joji era (1362-1368) belongs to the latter half of the Nanbokucho period.
One of the most significant events of the era was the Joji Incident of 1366, an internal power struggle within the Muromachi Shogunate.
Shiba Yoshiyuki and his father Takatsune, who held immense political authority, were suddenly removed from power by Shogun Ashikaga Yoshiakira in what is regarded as a political coup.
Their downfall is generally attributed to growing opposition against their concentration of power.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token.
AoiArt estimation paper: Whole Oshigata.

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