Wakizashi in Shirasaya attributed to Sue Bizen,
with NBTHk Hozon paper and old handwritten Origami.
The blade is Mumei (unsigned), attributed to Sue Bizen (備前) , from the late Muromachi period by NBTHk Hozon paper.
The Bizen Osafune school is one of the most famous Smiths, it started as early as the Kamakura period and prospered all the way until the Bakumatsu period. It is said that one of the reasons for its success was its close proximity to Water and Iorn sand from the Yoshi river and charcoal rendered from a nearby pine Forrest.
This sword is very iconic work of this school, with a beautiful, very identifiable Bizen Osafune style Choji hamon, oftenly described as Kani No Tsume “crab claw” style. As well as the current NBTHK Origami, It also comes with an old handwritten certificate, this Origami is written on the 15th year of Showa (~1940) in Chiba prefecture. It provided the same attribution as the NBTHk Hozon paper, but more specifically attributed the blade to 備前長船春光 Bizen Osafune Harumitsu.
Paper – NBTHK Hozon attributed to Sue Bizen (Late Muromachi Period). And old Handwritten Origami Certificate more specifically attributed to Bizen Osafune Harumitsu.
Mei – Mumei
Nagasa – 52.8 cm
Sugata – Shinogi-zukuri
Sori – Koshi-zori 1.6 cm
Kissaki – Chu
Mune – Iori
Kasane – 0.7 cm
Mihaba – 2.8 cm
Nakago – Ubu – Standard with kuri-jiri
Mekugi Anna – 1
Yasurime – Not Seen
Hamon – Nioi-deki – Choji with Kani No Tsume (Crab Claw)
Boshi – Ko-maru
Hada – Itame
Price now – £900
