AS21089-Katana: Mumei(Chiyozuru Morihiro)

Katana in Shirasaya with Koshirae.(NBTHK Tokubestu Hozon Paper)
Signature: Mumei(Chiyozuru Morihiro)

(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo saku, Jyojyo saku Jyo saku and regular saku)
This sword belongs to Jyo Jyo Saku ranking.
The blade was polished.
Habaki: Gold color single copper Habaki.
Blade length : 67.0 cm or 26.37 inches.
Sori : 1.8 cm or 0.70 inches.
Mekugi: 2
Width at the hamachi: 2.77 cm or 1.09 inches.
Width at the Kissaki: 2.16 cm or 0.85 inches.
Kasane : 0.58 cm or 0.22 inches.
Era : Nanbokucho period.
Shape : Osuriage Mumei Katana, regular width and thickness.
The Kissaki is long, nice shape Katana.
Jigane : Itame Hada well grained with Jinie attach.
There are Utsuri.
Hamon : Ko-Nie Deki, rouned Ko-Gunome Midare with deep Nioikuchi.
In Ha, there are many Sunagashi, Kinsuji, Ashi and Yo.
Boshi is round Hakikake style.

Special feature: The swordsmith school name Chiyozuru
was derived from the childhood name of Kuniyasu who is thought
as a descendent of Rai school who moved to Echizen province in 1314
and founded Echizen-Rai School in the neighborhood of present Takeo city (Tsuruga City in Fukui pref). The first Morihiro is thought as a son of Rai Kuniyasu. Morihiro clan continued four generations.
The name Chiyo-zuru is a set of Japanese Kanji that means a thousand generations crane by word for word translation.
It is thought as an auspicious term from ancient times and the sword by Chiyozuru school has been used as a gift of a matter for congratulation. From the shape and work, this blade was made around the Nanbokucho period.
This Sayagaki says “Rai” and “Rai Kuninaga”. It was also called Echizen Rai.

Koshirae :
Saya : Black Kawari Nuri Saya.
Tsuba: Mokko shape iron Tsuba, the dragon is engraved.
The rim is covered with Shakudo.
Menuki: Shakudo, the dragon is engraved with gold color.
Fuchikashira: Kojiri: Kurikata: Brass with Nanako pattern.

From Aoi Art: Some Chiyozuru Morihiro’s blades are designated
as NBTHK Juyo sword.
This blade has many works in the Ha. The Hamon is Ko-Gunome Midare with thick Niokuchi. the Ko-Ashi is soft, there are many Yo.
It also seems to have Rai school atmosphere.

NBTHK Tokubestu Hozon Paper.
Aoi Art estimation paper:
whole Oshigata.