Ordeirng number:23101

Katana in Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)(Koshirae: NBTHK Hozon Tosogu)

Signature: Mumei (Hokke Ichijo)
無銘(法華一乗)

Sayagaki: Ko-Bizen Sukezane

We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This work is ranked as Jyo Saku for the smith Mumei (Hokke Ichijo).
Habaki: Single-layered, gold-covered.
Blade Length: 68.8 cm (27.09 in)
Curvature: 2.1 cm (0.83 in)
Mekugi Hole: 2
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.83 cm (1.11 in)
Width at Yokote (Sakihaba): 1.82 cm (0.72 in)
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.53 cm (0.21 in)
Sword Weight: 530 g
Era: Nanbokucho period (around 1358)
Shape: Slightly wide blade with a thick kasane and strong curvature.
The kissaki is extended, and the tip curves upward.
Both sides of the blade feature a bohi groove.
*A kirikizu (minor flaw) is located approximately 5 cm above the hamachi.
Jigane: Well-forged itame-hada with a prominent, visible grain structure.
Hamon: Nie-deki with continuous small choji-midare and double hamon.
The boshi is irregular and returns in a small circle.
Kinsuji and sunagashi appear throughout the blade.

Features: “Hokke” refers to swordsmiths from Bingo Province.
Hokke Ichijo was a monk of the Hokke (Nichiren) sect, and swords made by his school are known as Hokke-ha.
During the Nanbokucho period, this sect produced many blades in suguha with gentle temper lines.
Although this blade has a kirikizu near the edge, the hamon features compact gunome-midare, with active sunagashi and kinsuji, making it a fascinating piece that rewards close inspection.

Koshirae: NBTHK Hozon Tosogu
Tsuba: Tachi-style tsuba
Fittings: Polished shakudo with engraved iron-wire arabesque design and gold decoration.
Saya (Scabbard): Lacquered with scattered blue shell inlay.
Menuki: Made of shakudo, featuring a design of military flags and halberds, decorated in gold and silver.

Aoi Art’s Comment: This blade has been attributed to Hokke Ichijo and features a distinctive sori curvature typical of his work.
It displays a compact nioi-deki hamon with small gunome-midare, enhanced by sunagashi and kinsuji.
The sword comes with koshirae bearing NBTHK Hozon Tosogu papers.
Such well-matched sets are rare, so we highly recommend this piece.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token
Koshirae: NBTHK Hozon Tosogu
Aoi Art estimation paper
Whole Oshigata

Price:1,200,000JPY

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