In the 2nd month, the 2nd year of Bunmei (A.D.1470)
with)Black Ro-iro Silver/copper thread glitter finish sheath Uchi-katana style koshirae
NBTHK(HOZON TOSOUGU)
Length of cutting edge62.2cm Curvature2.3cm Width of base28.0mm Width of Yokote17.1mm Thickness of base7.2mm
Forging pattern (kitae hada) : Kitae hada is combination of Itame-hada (wooden grained) and Mokume (burl grain mark). There is masame grain marks in shinogi-suji. The side of hiraji is covered in irregular haze that lays over the surface so called Utsuri reflection.
Tempering pattern (hamon) : Hamon is ko-nie based clove out-line (Choji-ha), varies in height and shape mixing in with small clove, some almost touches to the shinogi-ridge. Nie glitter is vividly bright and the interior of temper is splendidly active with clove ashi feet, Sunagashi streaming and thick Nie-lines obviously.
Temper of tip (boshi) : Boshi is gunome irregular, sharpened up then small circle turns back.
Tang (Nakago) : Nakago is almost unaltered (ubu) besides lower half of back ridge shaved off slightly. Ha-agari Kurijiri heel shape. Two mekugi ana pegs (one is filled). Katte-sagari (slightly slanting leftward) file marks. The signature in omote is long character which is composed of a place of work [Bishu Osafune], and smith name [Norimitsu]. The ura is chiselled the date of year, in the second month, the second year of Bunmei (A.D.1470).
This katana is the representative example among works by the finest sword smiths in Osafune Bizen school in earlier period of Muromachi age. NORIMITSU family, it's frontier is said a pupil of [Sakonshokan NAGAMITSU] active period is end of Kamakura period. Most extant swords of NORIMITSUs were recognized from Ouei 1400s period throughout Muromachi period till 1590s. The subject katana,the date of year 1470, is considered a work of 6 th generation NORIMITSU. The entire sword generates a graceful impression of the previous age, unlike stout and heroic works of end Muromachi period onwards. Short tang was designed for a single-palm grip style. Very well balance for common usage suitable for a suit of armor while horse-riding and gallantry upholding dignity of Samurai spirit. Another remarkable highlight is the superb fitting Black pure lacquered RO-IRO hemp-palm finish Uchigatana koshirae, that consists of Hilt: white Ray-skin, gold-brown silk cord lozenge wrap, Fuchi is Kirin giraffe, shakudo/nanako-ji surface work of Teijo(9th gen. major Goto) appraised by Mitsuyoshi(15th gen. major Goto), Kashira is horn black lacquered. Menuki is shakudo Yobori, silver/gold iroe, Turnip design. Tsuba is Shakudo nanako-ji surface, takabori, gold iroe edge, Chrysanthemum design (attributed to a work of Yoshioka family). Saya is pure Japanese lacquered, silver/copper thread glitter sheath. The full custom-made set of koshirae, surely exclusively made for an official Samurai of high birth, full of luxury but well refined set of mount, almost remains an original and remains an excellent condition
Double layers gold foiled original habaki, Shira-Saya plain wood mounting includes.
