O99535(W5086) Wakizashi unsigned attributed to a work of YOSHIKAGE	NBTHK(The 31th JUYO TOKEN)
Koto Nanbokucho period (Enbun era circa 1356) Bizen Length of cutting edge 48.8cm Curvature 0.7cm Width of base 29.2mm Width of Yokote 27.4mm Thickness of base 6.4mm Length of Kissaki 8.3cm Length of Nakago 13.0cm
Blade construction: Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune. Substantially shortened "Ōsuriage". Mihaba on base is wide and less degree of tapering from base to point that holds less curvature leading to the elongated large point of Kissaki. The thickness of blade is a bit on thinner side, shaved off toward the back ridge. There are narrow grooves of Bo-hi along Shinogi-ridge, both chiselled half way to Nakago. (click HERE for higher resolution image of the entire blade). Forging(Hada): Steel gives off speckled Utsuri impression. Forging is conspicuous large Itame-hada and burl mark of Mokume-hada ware with flowing indication from place to place. Ji-nie granule attaches on surface that emits speckled sparkling reflection of Nie and gives off diffused reflection with mottled effect so called "Ji-fu". Darkish thick lines of Nie so called "CHIKEI" activity appears from fine steel. Temper(Hamon): Hamon is based on fine Nie-based crystals, a bit on deeper side Nioi-kuchi, hardening pattern consists of smaller trapezoid Kataochi-gunome, slanting tassel-shaped Choji or box-like Hakoba elements. The interior of temper is filled with deep Nioi crystals where short lines of Nie Ashi feet emits toward cutting edge and frequent YOU dots float in it. The interior of temper is filled with mist-like crystallize area deeply. The entire forging/hardening effect is full of Nanbokucho taste that comes from "Nie" of hard metal granule activities from Soshu technique and "Hamon" of quenching effect that comes from traditional Bizen school. This is the typical of Osafune works in the prime of Nanbokucho period so called "Souden-bizen" Temper of tip(Boshi): Temper of boshi forms irregular stirring lines of flame sweeping indication "Hakikake". Tang(Nakago): The tang is substantially shortened "Ōsuriage" to be unsigned with shallow double-bevelled Kurijiri filemarks. One Mekugiana peg hole. Shinogi-hi grooves on both sides. YOSHIKAGE 義景 1st generation, reportedly a pupil of CHIKAKAGE 近景, was active Kenmu to Enbun era (1335-58), Osafune district in Bizen province (now, Okayama pref.). The 2nd generation of YOSHIKAGE 義景 who was a pupil of KANEMITS 兼光 followed during Teiji to Kouou (1366-89). Around the middle of 14th century, sword makers in Osafune district had entered a new era of Sōshu evolution so called Sōden-Bizen 相伝備前. Representative makers such as KANEMITSU 兼光, CHOUGI 長義, YOSHIKAGE 義景 and OMIYA 大宮 schools belonged to powerfull Samurai warriors to meet with sharp rise in demand for the Nanbokucho period while the two courts fought for fifty years. Connoisseur Hon'ami 本阿弥家 families has set up the rule to identity Naginata-naoshi construction with outstanding Itame forging with the hamon of a bit on smaller sized slanting Clove shape as a work of YOSHIKAGE 義景 who belonged to Sōden-Bizen 相伝備前. This wakizashi holds typical shape from Nanbokucho age, it feels solidly heavy in hand holding healthy massive Kasane volume and wide in Mihaba. Hamon of hardening boundary pattern is shinning brightly and fine steel gives off whitish mist reflection of Utsuri that appears over the Hiraji. These elements sense and prove that this wakizashi is appropriately appraised as the genuine Osafune works in Nanbokucho period from 14th C, especially YOSHIKAGE 義景.　This wakizashi is the 31th JUYO TOKEN awarded. Gold foiled Habaki collar, preserved in Shirasaya plain wood mounting reference data : Honma Kunzan/Ishii Masakuni, Nihonto Meikan, Yuzankaku, 1975 Juyo Token Zuroku syllabus