Ordering Number: AS26017

Wakizashi in Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature: Bishu Osafune Morokage
A date in March, 1429
備州長船師景
正長二年三月日

Chu-Koto: Chu-jo Saku: Bizen.
(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku).
This work is ranked as Jyojyo Saku.
Habaki: Double-layer silver habaki.
Blade Length: 46.0 cm (18.11 in).
Curvature: 0.6 cm (0.24 in).
Mekugi Hole: 2.
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.27 cm (0.89 in).
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.57 cm (0.22 in).
Sword Weight: 355 g.
Era: Mid Muromachi period, 1429.
Shape: Wide mihaba with a solid and substantial kasane.
Jigane: Clear utsuri appears, and the jigane is well forged and सुंदर (Japanese text retained due to ambiguity).
Hamon: Nie-deki suguha, extending well into the kissaki.

Features: Osafune Morokage is said to have been the son of Morikage and was active around the Oei era. During the same period, Morimitsu and Yasumitsu were also active. This work is a well-proportioned wakizashi in shobu-zukuri, with utsuri appearing throughout. Both the signature and date remain, making it valuable as a reference material.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: Vertical oval shakudo nanako ground tsuba with a design of lions and scabbard, in gold inlay.
Fuchikashira: Shakudo nanako ground with a bird design in gold inlay.
Saya (Scabbard): Black lacquered saya.
Menuki: Shakudo base with a design of flowers and plants in gold inlay.
Kozuka: Shakudo nanako ground with a design of a hen and chicks in gold inlay.

Historical Background: The year 1429 corresponds to the mid-Muromachi period in Japan. In September of that year, the era name changed to Eikyo. Influenced by the peasant uprisings (Tsuchi Ikki) of the previous year, the Harima no Kuni Ikki occurred. Ashikaga Yoshinori became the 6th shogun. It is also said that the Ryukyu Kingdom of Okinawa was established in this year. The Shocho uprising spread to Harima in 1429, leading to the Harima provincial uprising, in which local people sought autonomy and attempted to expel samurai from the province, attacking warriors throughout the region.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token.
AoiArt estimation paper: Whole Oshigata.

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

Auction Starting Price:650,000JPY

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