Length of cutting edge 67.2cm Curvature 2.5cm Width of base 30.4mm Thickness of base 6.6mm Width of Yokote 18.2mm
Kitae(forging pattern) : Kitae-hada is outstanding Itame (wooden grain) and mixing in with Mokume-hada (burl grain) pattern. The steel of Hiraji surface is covered in sparkling ji-nie glitter that generates darkish Nie lines along wooden grain so called CHIKEI activity. The entire hiraji-surface is covered in speckled ji-nie that generates reflecting irregular whitish Utsuri effect vividly over the surface.
Hamon(tempering pattern) : Hamon forms Nioi-based Gunome pattern mixing with Clove (Choji) outline. The heads of gunome radiate quenching effect toward the Hiraji surface to generate some splash quenching effect of "Midare-Utsuri" that gives off diffused reflection with a mottled effect. Thick Nie lays on gorges of quench boundary line where slight lines of Nie "Sunagashi" appears. The entire Kitae and Hamon is gaily decorated, full of variety, worth seeing.
Boshi (tip): The temper of tip is full quench to form "Ichimai".
Nakago(tang) : UBU in original. An original file-mark shallow Katte-sagari (slanting left) with one mekugi-ana retaining hole and KURIJIRI (round heel shape) on bottom. The signature in front located on the shinogi-ji, clearly chiselled starting with the work of place Bishu Osafune 備州長船 and the smith name TADAMITSU 忠光.
Powerful clans or generals from the disturbance period of Warring States Period to the Azuchi Momoyama state required the sword of massive volume and thick in kasane with high shinogi-ridge, with well-proportioned deep curve, heavy on hand from solid construction that reminds of a brave Samurai spirit.
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.
The founder of sword maker TADAMITSU 忠光 in Bizen is referred in Shouou period (1288-93) and the oldest existent Tanto has the date of year Teiji 3 (1364) during Nanbokucho period, then later generations shows the records of Ouei - Bunmei (1394-1486) in Muromachi period.
The subject sword, although no date of year is chiselled, it would be made by TADAMITSU 忠光 from Entoku - Eisho (1489-1520) from it's configuration and the style of signature. TADAMITSU 忠光 families, Ukyo-no-suke KATSUMITSU 右京亮勝光, Sakyo-no-shin MUNEMITSU 左京進宗光 and Hikobei-no-jo SUKESADA 彦兵衛尉祐定 were tied for the lead in the same age at Bizen. It has been said that no other sword makers can compare with him for the beauty of SUGUHA temper and the fine steel forging as well.
Although this katana has some grain opening wares on both sides of Hiraji/Boshi areas, these are repaired and well eliminated by skilled polish. There are many advantages presenting well proportioned original shape, irregular quenched hamon that is quite unique from ones of SUKESADA or KATSUMITSU in the same age and shows vividly active steel forging emitting "Utsuri" mottled reflection unlike the other ordinary works of Bizen swords. Full of Samurai Spirits from 500 years history.
Gold foiled single layer Tachi-style Habaki collar, preserved in Shira-saya plain wood mounting.
Old skilled polish/Condition scale: good (using a scale of mint-excellent-very good-good-fair-poor).
reference data :
Honma Junji/Sato Kanichi Nihonto Taikan Koto-hen #2 Otsuka kogeisha 1967
Osafune-cho-shi Hensan Iinkai Osafune Cho-shi 1998
