Ordering Number: AS24570(Consignment Sale)

Katana in Shirasaya (58th NBTHK Juyo Token *re-issued)
Signature: Mumei (Unsho, 雲生)　

Sayagaki by De.Tanobe:
Bizen-Koku Ukai(宇甘) Unsyo Osuriage Mumei
Both the shape, the jigane and the blade are of extremely high quality, and and among the swordsmiths of this school, this is a particularly fine piece that shows the characteristics of Unsho.
length: slightly under 2 shaku 2 sun 8 bu
written by Kanzan in July 2011

At our company, we rank swords in four categories: Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku, and Regular Saku based on the craftsmanship.
This sword is ranked as Saijyo Saku among mumei (Unsho) works.

Habaki: Gold-foiled double-layered
Blade Length: 2 shaku 2 sun 8 bu (69.0cm / 27.2 in)
Curvature: 4 bu (1.2cm / 0.5in)
Mekugi Holes: 3
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.9cm (1.1in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 1.7cm (0.7in)
Thickness of Rim (Kasane): 0.7cm (0.3in)
Sword Weight: 675 g
Era: the late Kamakura period to the early Nanbokucho period, around early 14th century
Shape: wide and thick blade with deep curvature and long kissaki.
Jigane: Ko-itame hada well grained with Jihu Utsuri.
Hamon: Niedeki suguha with ko-ashi with rounded Boshi.

Features:
From the end of the Kamakura period to the Nanbokucho period, there were swordsmiths such as Unji(雲次), Unjyu(雲重), and Unsho（雲生) in Bizen Province, and they are collectively called Un-rui(類,type) because their names have “Un(雲)” in their names. They are Bizen swordsmiths, but unlike the Nagafune school, they show the influence of Yamashiro-den, and are said to resemble Rai school and Aoe school.　Unsho the 1st generation was a swordsmith active around Eini to Kengen era (1293-1303) and is considered the founder of the Un-rui swordsmiths. This work shows a faint “Jifu-Utsuri,” which looks as if it has been marked with a finger. The Jifu-Utsuri is not as clear as depicted on the Juyo Paper, but it can be seen when the blade is moved away from the light. There is a little chip at about 6cm from the Habaki.

58th Juyo Token *Re-issued Paper
Aoi Art Paper
Whole Oshigata

Auction Starting Price:2,600,000JPY

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