AS26503 Katana: Mumei (Attributed to Den Shikkake) (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Ordering Number: AS26503

Katana in Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature: Mumei (Attributed to Den Shikkake)
無銘（伝　尻懸）

Koto: Jyo Saku: Ō Wazamono: Yamato
(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 Shikkake.
Habaki: Single gold-foiled habaki.
Blade Length: 68.2 cm (26.85 in).
Curvature: 1.6 cm (0.63 in).
Mekugi Hole: 3.
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.94 cm (1.16 in).
Width at Yokote: 1.92 cm (0.76 in).
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.65 cm (0.26 in).
Sword Weight: 660 g.
Era: Around the Enbun–Jōji period (1356–1368), Nanbokuchō period.
Shape: A well-proportioned blade with a wide mihaba, substantial kasane, moderate curvature, and a slightly elongated kissaki.
Jigane: Itame hada mixed with mokume hada, with the grain clearly visible. Whitish utsuri appears in the ji.
Hamon: Suguha with nezumi-ashi. The boshi turns back in a rounded form with a hakikake tip.

Features: Among the Yamato traditions, the Shikkake school flourished under its founder Norinaga. Its workmanship is characterized by flowing itame hada with abundant ji-nie and a refined hamon. This blade has been attributed to Shikkake by the Japanese Sword Museum (NBTHK) as a mumei work, and is considered to date no later than the late Kamakura period. It is a healthy blade of excellent workmanship.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: Five-lobed mokko-shaped iron tsuba with a silver fukurin rim.
Fuchikashira / Kojiri / Kurikata: Carved with floral motifs.
Saya (Scabbard): Black stone-textured lacquered saya.
Menuki: Shakudo menuki carved with phoenix motifs.

Aoi Art’s Comment: The Yamato tradition consists of the five major schools: Hōshō, Taima, Shikkake, Tegai, and Senjuin. Their blades are said to have been supplied to the warrior monks who protected the many great temples of Nara, with each school exhibiting its own distinctive characteristics. This is an excellent example attributed to the Shikkake school of the Koto period, complete with an attractive koshirae. It is highly recommended.

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