Ordering number:AS24342

Katana in Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature: Bizen Osafune Norimitsu
Dated: February, 2nd Year of Bunmei (1470)

Late Koto: Jyo Saku: Bizen
We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku, and Regular Saku.
This piece is ranked as Jyojyo Saku (upper-upper grade) for a Bizen work.
Habaki: Silver, single
Blade Length: 2 shaku, 1 sun, 9 bu, 5 rin (66.48 cm / 26.17 in)
Curvature: 5 bu (1.5 cm / 0.59 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.83 cm (1.11 in)
Width at Kissaki: 1.1 cm (0.43 in)
Thickness (Kasane): 0.7 cm (0.28 in)
Sword Weight: 590 grams
Era: Muromachi period, around Bunmei era
Shape: Standard width and thick with an extended kissaki, displaying a well-proportioned appearance.
Jigane: Small nie throughout, with well-forged and refined steel displaying prominent utsuri.
Hamon: A continuous gunome-midare in nioi, with the boshi rounded and larger than typical.

Features: The Bizen Osafune Norimitsu line traces back to the student of Nagamitsu, and this blade is estimated to be from the sixth generation.
It has a single mekugi hole, which is unusual and adds to its distinctive quality.
Having been preserved for over 550 years, it reflects exceptional craftsmanship and care.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: A round iron tsuba with inlaid shogi (Japanese chess) pieces in gold.
Fuchikashira: Shakudo nanako surface with high-relief engravings of flowers and plants, highlighted with gold accents.
Saya: This saya is a complex black lacquered piece with scattered blue shell inlays, presenting a remarkable color contrast and aesthetic appeal.
Menuki: High-relief flowers and fruit carved in shakudo, with selective gold accents.

Aoi Art’s Comment: The koshirae complements this sword’s beautiful utsuri and the elegant gunome-midare hamon.
The koshirae is an exceptional work, highly recommended for any collector.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token
Aoi Art Estimation Paper
Whole Oshigata

Auction Starting Price:1,250,000JPY

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