Ordering number:AS24466

Katana in Shirasaya with Koshirae (67th NBTHK Juyo Token)

Signature: Mumei (attributed to Reisen Sadamori)　
無銘(冷泉貞盛)　

At our shop, we categorize sword craftsmanship into four levels: Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku, and Regular Saku.
This piece is ranked as Saijyo Saku, the highest level for a Mumei (unsigned) attributed to Reisen Sadamori.
Polished.
Habaki: Gold-foil single layer.
Blade Length: 70.6 cm (27.8 in).
Curvature: 1.6 cm (0.63 in).
Mekugi Hole: 3 holes, 1 filled.
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.8 cm (1.1 in).
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 2.06 cm (0.81 in).
Thickness (Kasane): 0.59 cm (0.23 in).
Sword Weight: 675 grams (1.49 lbs).
Shape: This unsigned piece features a somewhat deeper curvature and extended kissaki (tip), characteristic of the Nanbokucho era.
Jigane: The surface shows well-forged ko-itame with chikei, creating utsuri visible across nearly the entire blade.
Hamon: The hamon is based on a suguha with fine nie, displaying double lines, slight fraying along the edge, and uchinoke. The boshi exhibits Yamato characteristics, with the hamon tapering down toward the edge.

Features: During the Nanbokucho period, both Sagemonji and Kongobei schools were active in Chikuzen. Sadamori belongs to the latter school. A tanto inscribed “Chikushu Reizei Sadamori, dated January of Shohei 25” (a Juyo Bijutsuhin) exists and serves as an important reference for evaluating Reizei Sadamori’s work. Created 677 years ago in 1346, the piece reflects the Yamato style in its jigane, with a slight golden-blackish hue mixed with dark undertones, incorporating fine chikei and a tight nioi-guchi, with a narrow suguha hamon.

Tachi Koshirae:
Tsuba: Iron base with shakudo nanako, displaying a bold family crest surrounded by gold.
Fuchikashira: Shakudo nanako with family crests in gold.
Saya: Finished with a unique lacquer.
Menuki: High-relief carving of a dragon with gold detailing.
This koshirae includes two double-family crests in gold on the fuchikashira and tsuba.

Aoi Art’s Comment: This blade is slightly narrow, with minimal difference in width from base to tip and a shallow curvature, characteristic of a chu-kissaki. The jigane is slightly coarse itame with ji-nie and chikei, featuring a gold-blackish hue with a misty suguha hamon, displaying fraying at the hamon edge, uchinoke, and a double line—features that vividly showcase the unique traits of Reisen Sadamori. With well-forged soft gold and a refined suguha hamon displaying vibrant activity along the blade’s edge, this piece exudes profound beauty and quality.

67th NBTHK Juyo Token
Aoi Art’s Certificate
Whole Oshigata

Auction Starting Price:3,800,000JPY

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