Katana: Mumei attributed as Chikushi Ryokai
2017/01/07
Katana in Shirasaya (NBTHK Hozon Paper)
Signature : Mumei (unsigned) attributed as Chikushi Ryokai
The blade is polished.
Blade length : 64.0 cm or 25.19 inches.
Sori : 0.6 cm or 0.24 inches.
Mekugi : 3
Width at the hamachi : 3.14 cm or 1.23 inches.
Width at the Kissaki : 2.47 cm or 0.97 inches.
Kasane : 0.58 cm or 0.23 inches.
Era : Early Muromachi period.
Shape : Wide and thick blade with O-Suriage Mumei Katakiri-Ha style. One side is Shinogi Zukuri style and the other is Kiri-Ha Zukuri. Futasuji-Hi and Bonji engraved only on one side. Boshi is O-Kissaki.
Jitetsu : Itame hada well grained with Jinie atatched. Fine Chikei appearing on surface. Jigane is so clear with Shirake Utsuri.
Hamon : NIe Deki Suguha. Boshi tunes Notare, Hakikae style.
Special feature : Chikushi Ryokai school is having powerful Jigane with Jinie and Chikei.
Jigane is similar like Ryosai and Sairen, Kyusyu Koto Jigane.
This piece was attributed as Chikushi Ryokai at NBTHK.
Katakiri-Ha style blades are made around Nanbokucho to early Muromachi to use on horse ride.
Samurai holds the blade with right hand. So when the sword got swinged toward foe, the blades moves right to left usually. To prevent the risk to damage the horse, the blade is incubated to motion works to right and swing down straight.
This blade should be one of a good document to learn how Samurai fight with sword in that ages.
NBTHK Hozon paper.
Aoi Art estimation paper : whole Oshigata.
price : JPY ¥300,000-.
