Ordering number: 23370
Katana: In Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)
Inscription: Mumei (judged as Chiyotsuru-Morihiro)
Saya-gaki: Numadzu Han, Lord Mizuno Tadayoshi-kō Haito, Mumei
Yamashiro Rai Kuniyuki’s son, Chiyotsuru-mori Hiro
Masterpiece, Length: 2 shaku 2 sun
Payment of 200 gold coins, Honami Kaō (seal)
Origami: Rai Kuniyuki, Masamitsu, Nagasa: 2 shaku 2 sun 6 bu
Polished, Mumei, Payment of 200 gold coins, Kan’ei 6th year, Ushi (Year of the Ox), 3rd day of the first month
Fujishiro Swordsmith Dictionary: Chukoto: Jyosaku: Echizen
At our company, we classify swords into the categories of Jojo-saku (highest quality), Jo-saku (high quality), Chujo-saku (above-average quality), and Futsu-saku (standard quality) based on the skill of the swordsmith. This particular work, classified as Mumei (Chiyotsuru-mori Hiro), is ranked as a Jo-saku in craftsmanship.
Polished
Habaki: Single-layered gold habaki
Blade Length: 68.5 centimeters or 26.97 inches
Curvature: 1.2 centimeters or 0.47 inches
Mekugi-ana: 2 holes
Width at Hamachi: 2.98 centimeters or 1.17 inches
Width at the tip: 2.22 centimeters or 0.87 inches
Thickness: 0.93 centimeters or 0.37 inches
Weight: 780 grams
Era: Nanbokucho period, from Bunna (1352) to the early Muromachi period, Ouei 1394
Shape: It is a large-suriage mumei (unsigned) sword with a deep curvature, moderate width and thickness, and an elongated kissaki (tip).
Jigane: It features a well-compact small wood grain pattern (koitame hada) with mixed large grain (o-hada) and clear nie (hardened steel granules).
Hamon: It has a bright and refined ko-midare (small irregular) hamon with active ko-ashi (small feet), and the blade exhibits sand-like patterns (sunagashi) and fine lines of nie (knee).
Boshi: It has a large turn-back (notare) with a rounded tip.
Special Features: The name Chiyotsuru is derived from Chiyotsuru-maru, the child of Echizen Rai Kuniyuki. The first generation Kuniyuki came from the Rai school and migrated to Echizen, residing in present-day Takefu City or Tsuruga City in Fukui Prefecture. The extant works are limited to the two generations of Kuniyuki, Morishige, Morohiro, and the contemporaries of Kuniyuki, Shigekuni and Yukiyuki. The name Chiyotsuru has long been popular for celebrations and ceremonies. Chiyotsuru-mori Hiro had four generations of smiths with their respective inscriptions: the first generation in the mid-Nanbokucho period from Bunna (1352) onwards, the second generation in the late Nanbokucho period from Shitoku (1384) onwards, the third generation in the Oei period of the Muromachi era from Oei (1394) onwards, and the fourth generation in the Kajō period of the Muromachi era from Kajō (1441) onwards. Their styles include those reminiscent of Mino swords and those that incorporate the Soshu style.
Koshirae:
Tsuba: A red copper base with high relief carving of waves and family crest on the ear, and chrysanthemum flowers on the surface, decorated with colored enamel in gold.
Fuchigashira: A silver base with high relief carving of the family crest and waves.
Saya: A pear skin-textured saya with black lacquer inlaid in a belt-like pattern.
Menuki: Made of copper, featuring high relief carving of the family crest (aoi mon), decorated with colored enamel in gold.
From Aoi Art: In the past, there was an origami (certification paper) from Rai Kuniyuki, but the attribution has been determined as Chiyotsuru-mori Hiro through an examination at the Sword Museum. This definite attribution serves as evidence of its evaluation. The well-compact jigane with a clear reflection and the bright and refined hamon make it a splendid antique sword.
NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token paper
Aoi Art estimation paper: Whole Oshigata
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