AS25417 Tachi: Nagamitsu (15th NBTHK Tokubetsu Juyo Token)

Tachi: in Shirasaya with Koshirae (15th NBTHK Tokubetsu Juyo Token)

Signature: Nagamitsu 長光
(With Origami by Hon’ami Mitsutada dated Genroku 12 [1699])

We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This work is ranked as Saijyo Saku (highest grade) among the works by Nagamitsu.

Habaki: Gold foiled double Habaki.
Blade Length: 2 shaku 3 sun 2 bu – 70.3 cm (27.68 in)
Curvature: 5 bu – 1.5 cm (0.59 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.95 cm (1.16 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 2.09 cm (0.82 in)
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.66 cm (0.26 in)
Sword Weight:715g
Era: Mid Kamakura period

Shape: Slightly wide blade with koshi-zori (curvature near the base), typical tachi style.
Jigane: Itame hada mixed with mokume hada, with visible ji-nie and midare utsuri.
Hamon: Choji-based with gunome midare, including pointed elements. Well-defined ashi and yo appear. The boshi is midare with a yakitsume tip.

Features:　Koto: Saijo saku: Owazamono: Bizen
Nagamitsu was 2nd generation of Osafune school swordsmith who was active during the late Kamakura period and was the son of Mitsutada.
Among his prominent disciples were Kagemitsu, Chikakage, and Sanenaga. Because his works display a wide range of styles, it is believed that Nagamitsu did not work alone but was assisted by his apprentices in sword production. Nevertheless, all of his works are of exceptional quality.
Since ancient times, Nagamitsu’s swords have been celebrated as masterpieces and were owned by feudal lords and other high-ranking samurai.
This particular piece clearly shows the distinctive characteristics of Nagamitsu’s workmanship, especially the brilliant activity of nie, kinsuji, and sunagashi along the hamon.
Without a hi (groove), the fine jigane of the mid-Kamakura period is well visible across the shinogi-ji, and the signature remains crisp and powerful—an impressive sword that retains its dignified form.
The piece comes with a makie lacquered box containing an origami appraisal by Hon’ami Kochu, dated Genroku 12 (1699).

Koshirae:
metal fittings: gold base carved with wave patterns
inscription: Haokuousai Kazan 伯翁斉嘉山

5th NBTHK Tokubetsu Juyo Certificate
With Origami by Hon’ami Mitsutada
Aoi Art estimation paper : whole Oshigata