N2825(W7002)

Wakizashi signed NORIMITSU with)Black Roiyo-style lacquered scabbard Koshirae

Koto Early Muromachi period (Kansho era / circa 1460-) Bizen
Length of cutting edge : 58.4cm Curvature : 1.6cm Width of base : 29.4mm Width of Yokote : 19.5mm Thickness of base : 8.1mm

NBTHK(Tokubetsu Hozon) certificate
NBTHK(Tokubetsu Kicho) certificate

with) Black Roiyo-style lacquered scabbard Koshirae

Blade construction: Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune. Kasane is thick and wide in Mihaba that tapers in harmonious ratio and there is a bit on deeper side in Koshi-sori leading to a medium Kissaki. Entire shape holds an archaic style in early Muromachi period. (click HERE for higher resolution image of the entire blade).
Forging(Hada): Fine steel gives off speckled UTSURI reflection throughout Hiraji. Forging Hada is very fine Ko-mokume hada ware. Darkish thick lines of Nie so called CHIKEI appears from fine steel and Sparkling Ji-nie granule attaches on surface that emits refreshing reflection of Jifu-UTSURI.
Temper(Hamon): Suguha Hamon is Nioi granules base, Defined Suguha. Some indication of Ko-gunome, irregular Ko-midare, undulating Norare with an indication of frayed Hotsure. The quenching activities of slanted Ashi or floating YOU appears in the interior of temper where boundary lines is abundant activity of fine Nie which is vividly bright. The interior of temper is filled with Nioi mist-like crystallize area. The entire Hamon is full of quenching activities that comes from super fine Nie.
Temper of tip(Boshi): Temper of boshi forms slight undulating Notare and creating large circle turn back in good manner.
Tang(Nakago): Nakago is short comparatively to it's cutting edge. The tang is original UBU with slightly slanting left ( Katte-sagari) filemarks. well-contoured back ridge with Katte-sagari filemark. Uneven U-shape Kurijiri heel. The mei is inscribed upper the Shinogi-ji NORIMITSU 則光 that remains vividly clear for the age 550 years in excellent taste of patina.

According to the reference Nyotebikisho 如手引抄, legitimate Osafune smith NORIMITSU 則光 is reportedly a son of MORIMITSU 盛光. His floruit was Eikyo to Knasho era (1429-65) in the same age of 2nd generation MORIMITSU 盛光.
In view of the workmanship of this NORIMITSU, it is unlike Sue-Bizen work but created in an archaic style in a period of transition in early Muromachi from Tachi to Uchikatana that has close similar trend of Ouei Bizen like his senior MORIMITSU 盛光.
The shape of this NORIMITSU bears Koshi-sori style even Nakago slightly curves, created in an archaic style. Square end Bi-hi groove throw up to Mitsukado in Kissaki that bears close resemblance from ancient Kamakura period. The Entire forging and quenching workmanship shows typical features of NORIMITSU to hold legitimate Osafune workmanship which is certainly a good example as a historical materialis to hold excellent condition remaining an exellent taste of panina, actively sharp chisels of inscription and clear filemark in Nakago for the age of more than 550 years.
This katana bears historic Koshirae set of mouont : (click HERE for entire Koshirae in front and HERE for reversed side / HERE for each fitting)
with) Black Ro-iro-style lacquered Koshirae mount
  • Fuchi : Sayamon design, Shakudo ground, Nanako-ji surface, unsigned
  • Menuki : Shi'ppo Seven Jewels design, ShakudoYobori,gold inlay
  • Tsuba : Square shape, Dewdrops openwork, Iron ground, polish surface, unsigned
  • Kozuka : Powder flask design, Shakudo ground, Nanako-ji surface, Takabori carving, Iroe inlay, Back panel gold plated, unsigned
  • Tsuka : White layskin, Black silkcord Tsunegumi-style lozenge wrap
Single layer silver habaki, Preserved in Shirasaya plain wood mounting
excellent polish/Condition scale: excellent (using a scale of mint-excellent-very good-good-fair-poor)
reference data :
Osafune-cho Osafune Cho-shi, Otsuka Kogeisha, 1998
Hon'ma Kunzan/Ishii Masakuni Nihonto Meikan, Yuzankaku, 1975