Ordering number:AS15250

Wakizashi: Shirasaya with Koshirae (The 16th NBTHK Juyo Token)

Signature: Bizen Kuni Ukai Jū Unju
Joji 4 Mei Kiri (1365)
備前国宇甘住雲重
貞治二二銘切

We divide four sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku, and Regular Saku.
This work is ranked as Saijyo Saku among Unju’s works.
Habaki: Single-layered gold-covered habaki
Blade Specifications
Blade Length: 1 shaku 3 sun 2 bu (≈ 39.99 cm / 15.74 inches)
Sori (Curvature): 2 bu 5 rin (≈ 0.76 cm / 0.30 inches)
Mekugi-ana (Peg Hole): 1 hole
Motohaba (Width at Base): 2.68 cm (≈ 1.06 inches)
Sakihaba (Width at Tip): 0.0 cm (N/A)
Kasane (Thickness): 0.63 cm (≈ 0.25 inches)
Sword Weight: 340 g
Era:Nanbokucho Period, Sadaharu 4 (1366)
Shape:This piece is a naginta-naoshi with an original nakago.
The signature remains completely intact.
The curvature is 2 bu 5 rin, and a part of the nakago has been cut.
Jigane (Steel Surface):A well-forged itame-hada mixed with mokume-hada, forming a fine texture.
Utsuri is clearly visible.
Hamon (Temper Line):A nioi-based, soft ko-gunome-midare with active ashi and ha.
The boshi is pointed and returns gently.
Upon closer inspection, there are sunagashi and kinsuji, showing remarkable craftsmanship.

Features: This sword is listed in the Nihonto Taikan, recorded on page 180 of the Koto Volume 2.
The inscription "Bizen no Kuni Ukai Jū Unju/Joji 4 Mei Kiri " is carved on the tang.
A rare feature of this sword is the engraved date inscription.
It was carefully preserved as a daimyo-registered wakizashi, as indicated by the registration certificate issued on March 14, 1951.

Koshirae (Mountings)
Tsuba: A round iron tsuba with a gold-finished rim.
The signature reads "Motokazu Nyudo Soten" (藻唐子宗典入道操典製).
Fuchikashira: Shakudo nanako ground with high-relief chrysanthemums and warriors, accentuated with gold inlays.
Saya (Scabbard): Dark brown with fan-shaped black carvings at the tip.
Kojiri: Iron base with an insect design, possibly a beetle, with gold inlays.
Menuki: Shakudo base with high-relief chrysanthemums.
Signature: "Hanaji Jū Nagamine" (花路住 永峰).
Kozuka: Suaka (red copper) ground with high-relief chrysanthemums, decorated with gold inlays.

Aoi Art’s Comment: The Nihonto Taikan is a well-respected and comprehensive reference book that extensively covers historical Japanese swords.
It is a voluminous resource, but highly recommended for study.
This piece demonstrates the beauty of jigane, the softness in the hamon, and the vivid sunagashi and kinsuji.

The 16th NBTHK Juyo Token
Includes a copy of page 180 from the Nihonto Taikan (Koto Volume 2)
Aoi Art Estimation Paper
Full Oshigata

Auction Starting Price:2,700,000JPY

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