Signature : Bizen koku Ju Osafune Kiyomitsu
Tensho 4nen 8gatsu hi (August 1576)
The blade was polished.
Blade length : 35.6 cm or 14.01 inches.
Sori : 0.4 cm or 0.15 inches.
Mekugi : 1
Width at the hamachi : 3.24 cm or 1.27 inches.
Kasane : 0.69 cm or 0.27 inches.
Era : Late Muromachi period.
Shape : Wide and rather thick Wakizashi. There are Bo-Hi and Futasuji-Hi.
Jitetsu : Koitame hada with mixture of mokume hada.
Hamon : Nie base, Suguha.
Special feature : Many sword smith has flourished during Muromachi period under Harima,
Misaku, and Bizen MIkuni Shugo Daimyo Akamatsu.
Because of the war and battle inside the country, the demand of
katana has boosted. Not only inside the country however, therewere demands
from the trading with China which was at the time period of Ming-明-.
Bizen Osafune school was originated from Mitsutada(Keicho around year 1249).
There were many signature with name of Kiyomitsu from Mid to late Muromachi period.
The most famous ones are made from Gorozaemon
from Tenbun and Magoemon from Eiroku period.
This blade is nice work.
NBTHK Hozon Paper
Aoi Art estimation paper : whole Oshigata.
