Ordering Number: AS25523

Katana in Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Hozon Token)

Signature: Mumei (Mihara)
無銘(三原)

(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku).
This blade is ranked as Jyo Saku among works attributed to Mumei (Mihara).
Habaki: Single plain copper habaki.
Blade Length: 67.9 cm (26.73 in).
Curvature: 1.4 cm (0.55 in).
Mekugi Hole: 3.
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.84 cm (1.12 in).
Width at Yokote: 2.05 cm (0.81 in).
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.66 cm (0.26 in).
Sword Weight: 745 g.
Era: Mid Muromachi period.
Shape: A well-proportioned katana with a wide mihaba, graceful curvature, and an elongated kissaki.
Jigane: Well-forged ko-itame hada with prominent whitish utsuri.
Hamon: Suguha in nioi-deki, tightly forged, with yaki extending into the shinogi-ji. The boshi turns back in a rounded form.

Features: The Mihara school was based in Bingo Province and flourished from the late Kamakura period through the end of the Muromachi period. Works from the late Kamakura to the Nanbokucho period are collectively known as Ko-Mihara, those from the early to mid Muromachi period are generally referred to as Mihara, while later works are classified as Sue-Mihara.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: Round Shibuichi tsuba carved with a family crest and a dragon among clouds.
Menuki: Floral motif with gold iroe.
Fuchikashira / Kojiri: Plain copper fittings carved with a bamboo design over a net pattern and decorated with gold iroe.
Saya (Scabbard): Black roiro lacquered saya.

Aoi Art’s Comment: Swords of the Bingo Mihara school have long been renowned for their excellent cutting ability. This blade features a rather firm suguha hamon and a beautiful, refined jigane.

Historical Background: Around the Hotoku era (1449), during the middle of the Muromachi period, the Kanto region experienced escalating political conflicts that eventually culminated in major warfare. The year 1449 (Hotoku 1) marked an important stage in the growing instability that would shape the region's later history.

NBTHK Hozon Token (certificate scheduled to be issued soon).
AoiArt estimation paper: Whole Oshigata.

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

Auction Starting Price:550,000JPY

Related Items:

Katana: Mumei (Ko Mihara) (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token) Katana: Bizen Suke Fujiwara Munetsugu (August 1868) (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token) Katana:Chikushū-jū Onizuka Yoshikuni(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token) Tachi : Bishu Osafune Yukihisa (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token) Daisho: Tsuda Sukehiro and Osafune Yasumitsu(NBTHK TH for each)(Koshirae: NBTHK TH Tosogu) Katana: Jiro Taro Naokatsu (February 1839)(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)