AS25772 Katana: Mumei(Unsigned, Hosho school)(the 23th Juyo Token)

Ordering Number: 25772

Katana in Shirasaya with Koshirae (23rd NBTHK Juyo Token)

Signature: Mumei (Attributed to Hosho 保昌)

Sayagaki by Tanobe Sensei:
23rd NBTHK Juyo Token, Yamato Hosho School.
This blade is O-suriage mumei (greatly shortened and unsigned), with shallow curvature, standard mihaba, a medium-sized kissaki, a wide shinogi-ji, and a high shinogi ridge.
The jigane displays masame hada covered with ji-nie.
The hamon is suguha with a slight notare tendency, featuring a deep nioiguchi, abundant and brilliant nie, sunagashi, and kinsuji.
The nioiguchi is exceptionally bright and clear, while the boshi is yakitsume. These characteristics beautifully demonstrate the distinctive workmanship of the Hosho school, one of the 5 Yamato schools. This is an outstanding blade in healthy condition, displaying remarkable vitality and activity.　Blade Length: 2 shaku 2 sun 8 bu (69.09 cm / 27.20 in).
Traditionally said to have been a possession of Mori Yoshichika, the 13th lord of the Choshu Domain in the end of Edo period.
Inscribed by Tanzan in 2025.

(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku).
This blade is ranked as Saijyo Saku among works attributed to the Hosho school.

Habaki: Double gold-foiled habaki.
Blade Length: 69.3cm (27.28in)
Curvature: 1.1cm (0.43in)
Mekugi-ana: 3
Motohaba: 2.91cm (1.15in)
Sakihaba: 1.86cm (0.73in)
Kasane: 0.72cm (0.28in)
Weight: 735g

Era: Late Kamakura period, circa 1300
Shape: slightly thin blade with wide Shinogi, shallow curvature and small kissaki.
Jigane: packed masame hada covered with fine ji-nie.
Hamon: Suguha and Notare with much nie making thick and bright nioikuchi and sunagashi and kinsuji. The boshi is yakitsume.

Features: The Hosho school was a group of swordsmiths active during the late Kamakura period, including Sadamune, Sadayoshi, and Sadakiyo. Among the five Yamato schools, the Hosho school is particularly known for its distinctive workmanship, characterized by a predominantly masame-hada (straight-grain patterns). According to the sayagaki by Mr.Tanobe, this sword is said to have once belonged to Mori Yoshichika (Takachika), the lord of the Choshu Domain during the late Edo period. Although the details of its provenance remain unclear, considering the quality of this sword, such a provenance is entirely believable.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: circular iron tsuba decorated with flat inlays depicting branches and leaves. The rim is finished with a gold fukurin.
Fuchikashira: Carved with tree branches and leaf motifs.
Saya (Scabbard): Cloth-wrapped saya.
Menuki: Branch and leaf design.

Historical Background:
During the late Kamakura period (early 14th century), as poverty and dissatisfaction grew among the samurai following the Mongol invasions of Japan, Emperor Go-Daigo launched a movement to overthrow the Kamakura shogunate, which fell in 1333. However, the new political system established by Emperor Go-Daigo also collapsed within a few years, leading to a period of approximately 60 years during which two rival imperial governments competed for power.

23rd NBTHK Juyo Certificate
AoiArt estimation paper: Whole Oshigata

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

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