AS20359 Wakizashi: Mumei(Uda)

Wakizashi in Shirasaya with Koshirae.(NBTHK Hozon Token)

Signature: Mumei attributed as Uda (宇多)

(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo saku, Jyo-jyo saku Jyo saku, and regular saku)
This sword belongs to the Jyo saku ranking.
The blade was polished.
Habaki: silver single habaki.
Blade length: 44.5cm or 17.52inches.
Sori: 1.2cm or 0.47inches.
Mekugi: 2
Width at the hamachi: 2.43 cm or 0.96inches.
Width at the Kissaki: 1.79 cm or 0.70inches.
Kasane: 0.4cm or 0.16inches.
The weight of the sword: 280 grams.
Era: middle of the Muromachi period
Shape: Osuriage Mumei Katana. The blade is wide and thick with deep sori. Kissaki is relatively long.
Jigane: Itame hada well grained with jinie attach. Pale Utsuri appears.
Hamon: Niedeki Suguha with relatively deep Nioikuchi with Ashi. Sunagashi and fine Kinsuji works in Ha.

Special feature: Uda school started in the late Kamakura period. Father swordsmith named Kunimitsu was from Uda,（present Nara prefecture） and moved to Ecchu (present Nigata prefecture). They prospered in the Nanbokucho period. The same signature has been succeded to many generations until Muromachi late period. It was estimated middle Muromachi Uda work.

Koshirae:
Saya: black Urushi double-coated Saya
Tsuba: Mokko shape Syakudo-Nanako Tsuba with a gold bordering
Menuki: probably silver Menuki with a design motif of a wild boar.
Kozuka: Sykudo-Nanako plate. A Buddhist monk and dragonflies are carved and colored by gold.

From Aoi Art: Uda school is divided into two types: the blade with beautiful Jigane and the blade visible to see the texture. This blade is Hokkoku’s blackish Itame Hada Jigane. There are some small Kizu. But overall, it is good. We recommend this Katana for you.

NBTHK Hozon Token(* the paper will be issued later.)
Aoi Art estimation paper: whole Oshigata.