Ordering number:24627

Katana in Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature: Mumei (attributed to Den Ichimonji)
無銘（伝　一文字）　　　　　　

Sayagaki: By Dr. Tanobe
Bizen Koku Ichimonji
This blade is ō-suriage mumei, yet shows a shape with deep curvature toward the waist and a slightly shortened kissaki, presenting a dynamic appearance.
It features a bright midare-utsuri pattern on a well-forged itame-hada.　The hamon consists mainly of chōji-midare with abundant variation, showing kawazu-no-ko (tadpole-shaped) and tobiyaki (flying temper patterns) with a soft and clear nioiguchi.
These characteristics clearly represent the style of the mid-to-late Kamakura period.　A superior work.
Blade Length: 2 shaku 1 sun 5 bu
Year: Kinoe-tatsu (2024)
Inscribed by Tanzan (kao)

We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This blade, attributed to Ichimonji (Mumei), is classified as Jyojyo Saku (Superior Work).
Habaki: Single gold foil
Blade Length: 65.0 cm (25.59 in)
Curvature: 2.3 cm (0.91 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.78 cm (1.09 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 1.75 cm (0.69 in)
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.61 cm (0.24 in)
Sword Weight: 610 g
Era: Mid Kamakura period, around Hōji era (1247)
Shape: Ō-suriage mumei with standard width and thickness, a well-balanced curvature.
Jigane: Well-forged itame-hada with visible utsuri.
Hamon: Prominent midare with bright and vivid appearance, including kawazu-no-ko and tobiyaki patterns, with a soft and clear nioiguchi.

Features: This piece is a sword attributed to Ichimonji, unsigned (Mumei), and was crafted around the mid-Kamakura period (circa 1247).
It has been appraised as Densho Ichimonji by the Token Museum, and Dr. Michifumi Tanobe has also expressed the same opinion.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: Mokko-shaped iron tsuba, featuring three dragonflies engraved in brass on the front and two on the back.
Fuchikashira: Made of brass, with a high-relief carving of dragonflies.
Saya (Scabbard): Black ishimeji (stone surface) lacquer saya.
Kojiri: Brass fitting engraved with a dragonfly motif.
Menuki: Gold-colored decorative fittings depicting dragons.

Aoi Art’s Comment: The Ichimonji school includes several branches such as Fukuoka, Yoshioka, Katayama, and Ko-Ichimonji.
Judging from the craftsmanship, this sword—though broadly categorized as "Ichimonji"—is likely a work of Fukuoka Ichimonji.
It is an ō-suriage (greatly shortened) mumei blade with a beautiful shape, featuring high koshizori (curvature near the base) and a short chu-kissaki (medium point).
The itame hada (wood grain pattern) jigane is well-forged, showing clear utsuri (shadow-like reflection).
The hamon is based on choji-midare, and includes kaeruko (frog-leg shapes) and tobiyaki (flying temper spots).
The nioiguchi is soft, bright, and clear.
We classify this as a Jyojyo Saku (superior work) among mumei blades attributed to Ichimonji.
With both jigane and hamon offering numerous highlights, this is an excellent sword.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token Certificate
Aoi Art estimation paper with whole oshigata

Price:3,500,000JPY

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