Ordering Number: 23119
Katana in Shirasaya(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)
Signatur: Hizen Kuni Junin Munetsugu( 肥前国住人宗次,1st generation)
Shinto: Jyo saku:Hizen
(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo saku, Jyojyo saku Jyo saku and regular saku)
This sword belongs to Jyo Jyo saku ranking.
The blade is polished.
Habaki: Silver single Habaki
Blade length: 74.9cm or 29.5inches.
Sori: 1.2cm or 0.5inches.
Mekugi: 2
Width at the hamachi: 3.0cm or 1.2inches.
Width at the Kissaki: 2.1cm or 0.8inches.
Kasane:0.6cm or 0.2inches.
The weight of the sword: 795grams
Shape: The blade is broad and thick with slightly shallow Sori and longer Kissaki. So-called Kanei style.
Jigane: Koitamehada is very dense. Beautiful surface.
Hamon: Niedeki Gunomemidare with lots of Ashi and deep Nioikuchi.
Chojimidare-ish Gunomemidare. Sunagashi and Kinsuji work in Ha Hamon is soft. Boshi is Midare and becomes round. It turns back deeply. Yaki comes in to Shinogiji.
Era: early Edo period, early 17th century.
Special feature: Hizen Kuni Junin Munetsugu, was a Hizen swordsmith active from Keicho to Kan’ei in the early Edo period. Although he is a Hizen swordsmith, the sword is different from the characteristic Jigane of Hizen swords represented by Tadayoshi.
Unlike the straight hamon of Hizen swords, the Hamon is similar to that of old swords. Bright and soft hamon with ashi and Kinsuji, is full of charm. You would never get tired of looking at it. It is wonderful piece of work that I highly recommend.
NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token paper
Aoi Art estimation paper:whole Oshigata by Ayaka Tsuruta