AS20551 Wakizashi: Bishu Osafune Katsumitsu

Ordering number : AS20551

Wakizashi in Shirasaya with Koshirae.(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature : Bishu Osafune Katsumitsu
Bunmei 15 Nen 2 Gatsu Hi

Fujijiro book: Sue Koto: Saijo Saku: Owazamono: Bizen
(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo saku, Jyo-jyo saku Jyo saku and regular saku)
This sword belongs to Jyo Jyo Saku ranking.
The blade was polished.
Habaki :　Gold foiled single habaki.
Blade length :　56.1　cm or 22.08 inches.
Sori : 1.6 cm or 0.62 inches.
Mekugi : 　3
Width at the hamachi : 2.61cm or 1.02 inches.
Width at the Kissaki : 1.83 cm or 0.72 inches.
Kasane : 0.59 cm or 0.23 inches.
The weight of the sword 485 grams.
Era : Muromachi period, around Bunmei era.1484.
Shape : Katate Uchi long Wakizashi. The Nakago is a little short with Sori, longer Kissaki.
Jigane : Ko Itame Hada well graind with Jinie attach. The Jigane is beautiful.
Hamon : Ko Nie Deki, Choji Midare and crumbled shape Gunome Midare.
In the Ha, there are Sunagashi and Kinsuji.

Special feature: The founder of 　Bishu Osafune Katsumitsu started Ouei era to Eisyo.
We can say that This blade is first generation because of the Uramei.
It is said at Bunmei era, Japan exported a lot of Japanese swords to
China. He was a son of Rokuro zaemon Sukemitsu and called Ukyo suke
Katsumitsu and his young brother Munemitsu is also quite well known
sword smith.

Koshirae : Tachi Koshirae.
Saya : Nashiji Saya.
Tsuba : Brass Tachi Tsuba and O-Seppa, there are arabesque pattern.
Menuki : Shakudo, a boat and person are engraved with gold color.
Fuchikashira: Shakudo, arabesque is engraved.
Other fittings: Shakudo, arabesque is engraved.

From Aoi Art: Because the fighting method changed, a sword called one-handed sword became popular.
Katate Uchi sword’s Nakago is a little short and the warp is deep, longer Kissaki.
This Wakizashi is a typical work, and the signature is carefully cut,
which is different from several massproduction swords.
At that time, it is thought that it was produced using fairly high quality Jigane.
There are beautiful Utsuri and The Hamon is　brilliant　Choji Midare.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token
Aoi Art estimation paper: whole Oshigata.