Ordering Number: 24416

Tachi: in Shirasaya (28th NBTHK Juyo Token)
Signature: Mumei (Unsigned, attributed to Awataguchi 粟田口

Sayagaki:
Yamashiro Koku Awataguchi Hisakuni 山城国粟田口久国　
the 28th Juyo Token Ubu-nakago Mumei
Era: Kenkyu 建久(1190-1199) Length: 2 shaku 5 Sun
written by Hon'ami Nisshu in 1982.

Categorized as Saijo Saku (highest level of craftsmanship) in our rankings.

Habaki: Gold-covered, single-layer.
Blade Length: 75.6 cm (29.76 in)
Curvature: 1.9 cm (0.75 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.65 cm (1.04 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 1.35 cm (0.53 in)
Thickness of Rim (Kasane): 0.54 cm (0.21 in)
Sword Weight: 520 g
Era: the end of Heian period to the early Kamakura period.
Shape: thin blade with sight curveture and small Kissaki
Jigane: Itame and Mokume mixed with Jinie and Chikei. Shinogi-ji is the same.
Hamon: Suguha with Ko-ashi and find Kinsuji. Boshi is rounded.

Features: This piece was appraised as Awatauchi, the group of Kyoto swordsmiths from the late Heian to early Kamakura periods. This work is not Suriage, so it retains the appearance of the time when it was made. This sword has beaturiful Jigane as Awataguchi was famous for their exquisite Jigae, and the beauty of the Jigane can be appreciated also in Shinogi-ji, as it has no bo-hi. There is a large chip which are thought to Homare-Kizu, honorary defects, but given the preciousness of this piece, I think it does not detract from its historical value. The sayagaki by Hon'ami Nisshu, a polisher certified as a Living National Treasure, authenticates it as Awataguchi Hisakuni, circa Kenkyu (1190-1199). Hisakuni was a son of Kuniie, the founder of Awataguchi. Hisakuni forged swords for the Emperor Go-Toba. Emperor Go-toba gathered excellent swordsmiths from all over the country and had them make swords.　He himself sometimes made swords, and Hisakuni was his instructor. Emperor Go-Toba eventually came into conflict with the shogunate and raised an army in 1221. It is interesting to think that the chip may have been created as a result of the warfare at that time.

the 28th NBTHK Juyo paper (re-issued)
Aoi-Art estimation paper
whole Oshigata

Price:6,000,000JPY

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