Ordering Number: 24733 (Consignment Sale)

Katana in Shirasaya (13th NBTHK Juyo Token)
Signature: Mumei (Attributed to Sekishu Naotsuna, 石州直綱)

Sayagaki: Written by Dr.Tanobe
The 13th Juyo Token Sesshu Naotsuna
O-suriage Mumei. Blackish jigane with Itame and Jinie. Hamon is Gunome and Yahazu-ba with much jinie, Sunagashi and Kinsuji. It would be related to Naotsuna's work with his inscription. I would say that this is a fine example of this swordmaker's work. written by Tanzan in Spring 2019.

As per our classification, this sword is ranked Saijyo Saku (Highest Grade) for works attributed to Mumei (Naotsuna).

Habaki: Single-layered gold foil
Blade Length: 69.4 cm (27.32 in)
Curvature: 2.2 cm (0.87 in)
Mekugi Holes: 3
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.86 cm (1.13 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 1.64 cm (0.65 in)
Thickness (Kasane): 0.68 cm (0.27 in)
Sword Weight: 650 g (1.43 lbs)
Era: around Nanbokucho period, 14-15th century
Shape: A large Suriage mumei with little Sori.
Jigane: Itame hada mixed with Mokume and Jinie and Chikei.
Hamon: Gunome midare with thick nioikuchi. Sunagashi and Kinsuji appears well. Boshi is Ichimai style.

Features:
According to the Important Certificate, this sword originally had a Sayagaki by an early 20th century appraiser, Kozu Haku and his appraisal was Naotsuna. The Juyo paper agrees that this is a Soshu-den sword, but also states that “He must have had a hard time giving this appraisal. This sword is sound and excellent workmanship. There is no sword with Naotsuna's inscription that is as good as this sword." The judges of Juyo swords at the time seemed to consider the possibility of a swordsmith other than Naotsuna because of the high quality of this work.

the 13th NBTHK Juyo Token Paper
Aoi Art Estimation Paper
Whole Oshigata

Price:3,650,000JPY

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