AS20429-Katana :Bishu Osafune Norimitsu

Katana in Shirasaya with Koshirae.(NBTHK Hozon Token)
Signature:　Bishu Osafune Norimitsu
Eisho 3 Nen 8 Gatsu…(cutted)

(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:　62.3　cm or 24.52 inches.
Sori : 2.1 cm or 0.82 inches.
Mekugi: 　1
Width at the hamachi: 2.8 cm or 1.10 inches.
Width at the Kissaki: 1.8 cm or 0.70 inches.
Kasane : 0.70 cm or 0.27 inches.
The weight of the sword 490 grams.
Era: Muromachi period around Eisho 3.
Shape: Suriage Machiokuri, regular width and thickness Katana with deep Sori, longer Kissaki.
There are Bo-Hi on both side of the blade.
Jigane : Itame Hada and Ko-Mokume Hada mixed with Jinie attach. There are Chikei. The Jigane is clear.
Hamon: Ko Nie Deki, Choji Midare with Ko-Ashi, Yo, Sunagashi and Kinsuji.
Boshi is round shape on Omote side, on Ura side, boshi is Midarekomi style.

Special feature: Early Bishu Osafune Norimitsu was active in the Muromachi period around Bunan era.
They have been active for several generations. They are highly skilled swordsmith.　

Koshirae:
Saya:　Black color Saya.
Tsuba: Round shape Shakudo Tsuba, Samurai are engraved with gold color.
Menuki: Shakudo, Samurai are engraved with gold color.
Fuchikashira: Shakudo, Samurai are engraved with gold color.
Kozuka: Shakudo, Robster is engraved with gold color.

From Aoi Art: There are a number of Bizen blades that mass product swords. These blades are not of good quality.
But there is no Norimitsu blade.　This Jigane is so nice.It is thought to be a carefully crafted sword. The blade is Suriage Machiokuri, Katate Uchi style. Since the battle method changed and it became a ground battle, a sword that was easy to swing with one hand became popular.
This Choji Midare Hamon is brilliant. Norimitsu’s blade does not have Zokumyo. All are engraved as Bishu Osafune Norimitsu or Bizen koku Osafune Norimitsu.
We highly recommend this work that you will never get tired of.

NBTHK Hozon Token
Aoi Art estimation paper: whole Oshigata.