Katana, Shirasaya

[ Signature ] omote : no signature　ura : -

[ Size ]Blade length: 66.8 cm (2 shaku 2sun 1 bu 4 rin), Curvature: 2.1 cm (6 bu 9 rin), Base width: 3.10 cm, Base thickness: 0.56 cm, Base ridge thickness: 0.72 cm, Tip width: 1.89 cm, Tip thickness: 0.35 cm, 2 mekugi holes, Blade weight: 623 g, Total length of shira-saya: 97 cm

[ Province ] Bizen

[ Feature ]
Form : Shinogi-zukuri: Shinogi-zukuri style, iori-mune ridge; standard width and thickness; deep curvature extending to the tip, forming a medium cutting edge profile.
Nakago: Raw; file marks sloping downwards; chestnut-shaped tip; one mekugi hole.
Jigane: A mixture of itame-hada and flowing grain, with a slightly raised surface texture.
Hamon : The hamon is of a medium straight-edged pattern, mixed with shallow curves, wavy blade patterns and small irregular patterns; it has a foot and small nie.
Boushi : The hamon cap is shallow and wavy, forming a small round shape, sweeping downwards.

[ Highlight ] Osafune in Bizen Province has been a major centre for sword production since the Kamakura period, and the school of swordsmiths active there from the mid- to late Muromachi period is known as the Late Bizen Osafune School. Notable swordsmiths from this school included Katsumitsu, Munemitsu, Norimitsu, Norimitsu, and Tadamitsu.

The Katsumitsu school was led by figures such as Ukyō-no-suke Katsumitsu and Jirōzaemon-no-jo Katsumitsu, and several swordsmiths bearing the same signature were active across several generations. This piece features a blade shape with a difference in base width and tip width, a deep curvature at the tip, and a medium cutting edge. The hamon is characterised by a medium-straight blade pattern with a predominance of nioi, interspersed with shallow curves, ko-gunome and small irregular patterns, set against itame forged blade grain patterns that tend towards masame. Based on these characteristics, this piece has been identified as the work of a later-period Katsumitsu.

[ Conditions ] The blade shows some wear from polishing, as well as forged cracks, flaws and minor rust. The habaki and shira-saya are of recent manufacture and are in excellent condition.

[ Attachments ] Silver single habaki, shirasaya, bag of shirasaya and Kurashiki museum paper 倉敷刀剣美術館鑑定書(issued on 20th July Reiwa 7(2025))

[ Item number ] A100526 [ Price ] JPY 280,000- (shipping and insurance fee are not included in the price)

Copyright © 2009- Touken komachi All rights reserved.