A38049(S7858) Katana signed Bishu Osafune SUKESADA In the 8th month, 2nd year of Daiei NBTHK(Hozon)
Koto end of Muromachi period (Daiei 2/1522) Bizen
Length of cutting edge 60.7cm Curvature 1.8cm Width fo base 28.7mm Width of Yokote 19.9mm Thickness of base 7.6mm
Blade construction: Shinogi-zukuri,Iori-mune in low, thick in Kasane. Mihaba on base is a bit on wider for the length and Shinogi-ridge is rather on higher side. There is less degree of tapering from base to point holding waist pointed curvature that leads to an elongated medium tip "Chu-Kissaki". There are Round-end Bo-hi grooves on both sides. The entire blade creates a heroic atmosphere during the Warning States period. (click HERE for higher resolution image of the entire blade)
Forging(Hada): Forging is conspicuous Itame-hada, mixing in Mokume-hada. The entire hiraji-surface is covered in speckled Ji-nie that generates reflecting irregular whitish Utsuri effect over the surface.
Temper(Hamon): Hamon is a bit on stronger side Nie hard metal granules base, shallow wave NOTARE mixing in combined Gunome like a crab claw and Clove (Choji) quench pattern where works with deep sparkling-Nie and deep "Noi" mist-like crystalline area. In the interior of temper, there works with Nie areas of "Sunagashi" .
Temper of tip(Boshi): Boshi forms wide irregular Gunome "Midarekomi".
Tang(Nakago): Nakago is in UBU original. Two peg retaining holes. Katte-sagari (slightly slanting left) filemarks. Back ridge of Nakago is flat. The Nakago is relatively short for it's long cutting edge, double-bevelled heel mark in full so called "KURIJIRI". The signature in front is clearly chiselled, Bishu Osafune SUKESADA 備州長船祐定 and the other side is inscribed the date of year In the 8th month, 2nd year of Daiei (1522) 大永二年八月日.

Powerful clans or generals from the disturbance period of Warning States Period to the Azuchi Momoyama Era required massive volume and thick in kasane with high Shinogi-ridge with well-harmonized curved.
The latter half of Medieval Muromachi period, starting with The Onin War (応仁の乱 Onin no Ran) / (1467-77), the length and style of Japanese swords had changed - Eisho-Daiei(1504-27) it was generally 2.0 - 2.1 shaku(60-63cm) which was suitable for one-hand grip, Kyoroku-Tenbun(1528-40) it had become a bit longer to 2.2 shaku(66cm), then Ganki-Tenso(1570-91) it became further longer to 2.3 shaku or even more(70cm) and Nakago(tang) became getting longer accordingly which was designed in the style of both hands grip.
Japanese sword so called Sue Bizen 末備前, is sometimes called Eisho Bizen 永正備前 covers Bizen swords in Koto on after Eisho before Bunroku (ca.1504 - 95). Katsumitsu 勝光, Tadamitsu 忠光, Munemitsu 宗光, Kiyomitsu 清光, Sukesada 祐定 were the most distinguished sword makers.

The subject sword is full of a brave Samurai spirit from the Warning States period, which was designed for fast draw out from scabbard and suitable length for one hand battle. Extremely strengthened construction of high shinogi-suji ridge with massive volume of Hiraji. Durable Itame wooden structure forging method with a hard-side quenching with defused reflection of steel "Utsuri", those were made for supreme sharp cutting performance. This katana presents typical workmanship of Sue Bizen works, holding an original Nakago remaining nice taste of patina for 500 years history and "Round-end Bo-hi"is major characteristic of Bizen works.

Silver Habaki collar, preserved in a Shirasaya plain wood mounting.
Recent polish/Condition scale: very good (using a scale of mint-excellent-very good-good-fair-poor)
 
Katana signed Bishu Osafune SUKESADA In the 8th month, 2nd year of Daiei
Katana signed Bishu Osafune SUKESADA In the 8th month, 2nd year of Daiei
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