Ordering Number: AS26158

Katana in Shirasaya (17th NBTHK Juyo Token)

Signature: Mumei(Unsigned) (attributed to Den Taima)
無銘(伝　当麻)

Sayagaki: Taima, O-suriage.
Blade Length: 2 shaku 2 sun 6 bu.
Winter of 1967.
Written by Dr.Kunzan (kaō).
Designated as Juyo Token at the 17th Juyo Token session.
Additional note by Dr.Kanzan.

(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku).
The workmanship of this sword is ranked as Saijyo Saku (highest grade) among works attributed to Mumei (Taima).
Habaki: Double-layer gold-covered habaki.
Blade Length: 68.4 cm (26.93 in).
Curvature: 1.3 cm (0.51 in).
Mekugi Hole: 3 (1 plugged).
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.98 cm (1.17 in).
Width at Yokote (Sakihaba): 2.03 cm (0.80 in).
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.58 cm (0.23 in).
Sword Weight: 770 g.
Era: A work from the mid to late Kamakura period (1185–1333).
Shape: Greatly shortened and unsigned, with bohi grooves on both sides extending through the tang to the end.
Jigane: Itame-hada with prominent grain, covered with ji-nie, forming a dark-toned steel surface.
Hamon: A soft suguha with a deep nioiguchi.

Features: The suguha shows hotsure, uchinoke, sunagashi, and kinsuji activities, with abundant nie, clearly expressing the characteristic style of Taima.
Taima swordsmiths belonged to the Yamato tradition, and their works are known for strong masame tendencies in the jigane and a deep nioiguchi.
Such activities are not seen in Shinto or Shinshinto works, and Taima pieces in particular display a highly complex atmosphere.
It is also unusual that an additional note by Dr. Kanzan was added after the sayagaki by Dr. Kunzan.

Historical Background: In the late Kamakura period, Japan faced severe economic hardship caused by the two Mongol invasions and political turmoil resulting from the strengthening dictatorship of the Hojo clan, culminating in the fall of the Kamakura Shogunate in 1333.
Emperor Go-Daigo ultimately succeeded in overthrowing the shogunate with the support of Ashikaga Takauji, Nitta Yoshisada, and others.
It is said that during the final years of the Kamakura period, as many as 4,232 warriors committed collective seppuku, creating a tragic and horrific scene.

17th NBTHK Juyo Token.
AoiArt estimation paper: Whole Oshigata.

Please note: The price does not include the international shipping fees.

Auction Starting Price:3,500,000JPY

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