Ordering number:24565

Wakizashi in Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature: Mumei (Hokke, Nanbokucho period)
無銘(法華・時代南北朝)

We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku, and Regular Saku.
This sword is ranked as Jyojyo Saku among unsigned works attributed to Hokke from the Nanbokucho period.
Habaki: Plain copper single-layer
Blade Specifications:
Blade Length: 55.0 cm (21.65 in)
Curvature: 1.0 cm (0.39 in)
Mekugi Holes: 2
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.79 cm (1.10 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 2.01 cm (0.79 in)
Thickness (Kasane): 0.61 cm (0.24 in)
Sword Weight: 430 g (15.17 oz)
Era：Nanbokucho period, around the Jowa era (1345), approximately 679 years ago.
Shape:A greatly shortened unsigned blade with bo-hi (grooves) on both sides that extend to the tang.
Jigane (Steel Surface):A tight ko-itame hada with a visible grain pattern and shiroke utsuri (whitish shadowy reflection).
Hamon (Temper Pattern):A nioi-deki (fine martensite particle-based) suguha (straight hamon) with ko-ashi (small feet) actively appearing.
The boshi follows the hamon pattern and ends in yakizume (burned-out tip).

Features:The Hokke school was a group of swordsmiths from the Nanbokucho period, distinct from the Mihara school.
They were based in Ashida County, Bingo Province, and their lineage traces back to Sukekuni.
The school remained active through the Nanbokucho to Muromachi periods.
Notable smiths include Ichijo, Kaneyasu, Yukiyoshi, and Shigeyasu.
Their swords often exhibit itame hada mixed with nagare hada, along with shiroke utsuri.
The hamon tends to be low and subdued, with a yakizume boshi, showing strong Yamato-den influence.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: A vertical oval-shaped (tatemaru-gata) shakudo nanako-ji tsuba, featuring a high-relief carving of a bird looking up at the sky, with gold inlay.
Menuki: Bird motif.
Fuchikashira: Made of shakudo, featuring a high-relief carving of a landscape with flying birds, with gold inlay.
Saya: Black roiro lacquered saya.
Kozuka & Ko-gatana: Made of shakudo, featuring a high-relief carving of a feather duster, with gold, silver, and copper inlay.

Aoi Art’s Comment:Though this sword is a greatly shortened unsigned blade, the ko-itame hada is well-forged, showing shiroke utsuri.
The straight hamon with active ko-ashi and yakizume boshi are hallmarks of the Hokke school's style.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token Certificate
Aoi Art Estimation Paper
Whole Oshigata

Price:550,000JPY