Katana Mumei (Shigezane) (54th NBTHK Juyo Token)
2017/01/05
Katana in Shirasaya (54th NBTHK Juyo Token)
Signature : Mumei (Shigezane)
middle Koto:Jyosaku high ranking:Ryo wazamono high cutting test ranking: Bizen province.
The blade was polished by high ranking polisher.
Habaki: Copper double foiled habaki
Blade length : 69.94cm or 27.53inches.
Sori : 2.19cm or 0.86inches.
Mekugi : 2
Width at the hamachi : ２.８３cm or 1.1inches.
Width at the Kissaki : ２.２１cm or 0.87inches.
Kasane : ０．７２cm or 0.28inches.
Era : Nanbokucho period.
Shape : Cut shorten mumei sword with regular width and thickness.
Jitetsu : Itame grain hada with mixture of mokume hada. The jinie is well attached. It is clear jigane.
Hamon : Nie base with mixture of kochoji midare and kogunome. There are streams of faint sunagashi and kinsuji activities. It is irregular（midare) line ha.
Special feature : Bizen koku Osafune school Shigezane is said to be the younger brother of Motoshige.
He has made sword from Kareki to Enpo era(1326-1360).
The hamon is sakasa choji irregular line katana.
This sword is in spectacular shape without any flaws(kizu).
This sword also has similar characteristics of Motoshige
and has the feeling of Aoe element.
There are flows of Itame hada with some jifu(slight white grain spot seen on Bizen swords) and utsuri seen.
The choji is in opposite pattern(sakasa) and the boushi is wildly mixed.
The activities in the ha and the edge of ha is active. Boushi is
brush up style shape end. It is strong looking sword, high quality piece.
Reference: Sayagaki: It is written "Yamato koku Shizu Kaneuji"
54th NBTHK Juyo Token
Aoi Art estimation paper : whole Oshigata.
Price : 2,750,000 JPY-
