Ordering number;24107

Katana: Shirasaya with Koshirae (19th NBTHK Juyo Token)

Signature: Mumei (Unsigned) [Attributed to Enju]
無銘（延寿）

Sayagaki: Higo Koku Enju.
Designated as the 19th NBTHK Juyo Token.
O-Suriage Mumei, Blade Length: 2 shaku 2 sun 9 bu (69.4 cm / 27.32 in).
Showa Mizunoe-Ne Nen Shiwasu Kichijitsu(December 1972)
By Dr. Kanzan (Kao).

At Aoi Art, we classify swordsmiths' works into four ranks: Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku, and Regular Saku.
This work is ranked Saijyo Saku as an unsigned Enju work.
Polish: Fully polished to the highest standard.
Habaki: Single-layer gold foil.
Blade Length: 2 shaku 2 sun 9 bu (69.4 cm / 27.32 in)
Curvature: 6 bu (1.82 cm / 0.72 in)
Mekugi Hole: 6
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.06 cm (1.20 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 2.03 cm (0.80 in)
Thickness of Rim (Kasane): 0.76 cm (0.30 in)
Sword Weight: 740 g (1.63 lbs)
Era: Late Kamakura to early Nanbokucho period.
Shape:This greatly shortened unsigned blade features a wide body, deep curvature, and an extended tip.
A bo-hi is carved on both sides, resulting in a well-balanced form.
Jigane (Steel):Fine ko-itame mixed with ko-mokume, producing a vibrant texture with a prominent utsuri effect.
Hamon (Temper Line): A suguha hamon with fine nie, incorporating ko-ashi and soft-hada.
The nioi-guchi is soft, with visible activity such as ha and a dynamic, lively texture.
Boshi (Tip): The hamon rounds off and returns sharply at the kissaki.

Features: The Enju school of Higo Province traces its roots to Yamashiro’s Rai Kuniyuki lineage.
Flourishing from the late Kamakura to the Nanbokucho period, its smiths, such as Kuniyoshi, Kunisuke, Kunitomo, and Kunitaka, are celebrated for their skill.
Enju blades are particularly known for their utsuri effect.
This piece is an exemplary work of the Enju school, featuring well-forged steel and vivid grain texture.
The polishing highlights the jigane to showcase its fine qualities, and the hamon exhibits remarkable activity with a soft and graceful aesthetic.

Handachi Koshirae:
Tsuba: Mokko-shaped iron tsuba with wave patterns, accented with gold wave designs.
Fuchikashira: Shakudo with stone texture, adorned with gold embellishments on the edges.
Saya (Scabbard): Glossed lacquer with parallel lines, decorated with black vertical stripes and gold embellishments at the tip.
Menuki: Large shakudo fittings, high-relief carvings of lions with intricate gold detailing.

Aoi Art's Comment: The Enju school is renowned for its sophisticated hamon styles, often with round boshi and rich variations in the nioi-guchi, incorporating ko-ashi and ha.
This blade demonstrates a superbly detailed and dynamic hamon, with soft yet intricate activity.
The koshirae is also of exceptional quality, making this a highly recommended piece for collectors.

19th NBTHK Juyo Token
Aoi Art estimation paper
Whole Oshigata

Price:3,200,000JPY

Related Items:

Katana: Enju Kuniyasu(NBTHK Hozon Token) Dai Sho : Motohira(Dai Sho:NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)(Daisho Koshirae: NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Tosogu) Katana: Minamoto Moriyoshi and Enju Nobutsugu Collaboration (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token) Katana： Nobutsugu(Aoe)(65th NBTHK Juyo Token) Katana: Hizen Kuni Kawachi Daijo Masahiro (first generation)(61st NBTHK Juyo Paper) Katana： Hizen Koku Tadayoshi (8th generation)(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)