Ordering number:AS24447

Wakizashi in Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Hozon Token)

Signature: Mumei (attributed to Shiga Seki Kanenobu)
無銘（志賀関兼延）

Sue-koto: Jyo Saku: Owari
We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku, and Regular Saku.
This work is ranked as Jyo Saku for Mumei (attributed to Shiga Seki Kanenobu).

Habaki: Covered with gold, Single Habaki
Blade Length: 0.7 cm (0.28 in)
Curvature: 0.7 cm (0.28 in)
Mekugi Holes: 2
Width at Base: 2.76 cm (1.09 in)
Width at Yokote: 2.16 cm (0.85 in)
Thickness of Rim: 0.46 cm (0.18 in)
Sword Weight: 415 grams (0.91 lbs)
Era: Muromachi period, around the Meiō era, 1492 (532 years ago)
Shape: The blade is slightly wider than average, with a standard thickness, and a groove (bo-hi) carved on both sides. The boshi is slightly long.
Jigane: The small itame-hada is well-forged, resulting in a finely textured jigane.
Hamon: The hamon is gunome-midare with nie, featuring pointed shapes. The boshi is sloped with a small rounded return.

Features: Shiga Seki Kanenobu was an active swordsmith during the Meiō era of the Muromachi period. His works are often mistaken for those of Naotsuna from Seki or Naotsuna's school. However, Kanenobu's works are distinct, particularly in their sharp hamon and solid boshi, which are slightly harder in appearance. Despite being over 532 years old, this blade has been well-polished and remains a captivating piece.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: Iron tsuba with openwork in a circular design.
Fuchikashira: Made of shakudo nanako-ji with high-relief engravings of arrowheads, with gold and shakudo coloring.
Saya: Glossy black lacquered saya.
Menuki: Shakudo with high-relief engravings of lions (shishi).
Kozuka: Shakudo nanako-ji with patterns and gold and silver inlays.
Two copper seppa covered in gold.

Historical Context: This piece was made during the time of the Meiō Political Upheaval (coup), when the 10th shogun Ashikaga Yoshitane was deposed, and the 11th shogun Ashikaga Yoshizumi took power, marking the beginning of internal conflicts that led to the Sengoku period.

NBTHK Hozon Token　
Aoi Art Estimation Paper
Whole Oshigata

Auction Starting Price:350,000JPY

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