Details
A KO-BIZEN TACHI
HEIAN PERIOD (CIRCA 1100), SIGNED HIROMITSU
Configuration (sugata): with longitudinal ridge line (shinogi-zukuri), shallow peaked back (iori-mune) and small point (ko-kissaki); length (nagasa): 2 shaku, 4 sun, 4 bu (74.2cm.); curvature (sori): strong koshi-zori of 3.1cm.; increase in width of blade (fumbari): 1.3cm.
Forging pattern (jihada): o-mokume.
Tempering pattern (hamon): ko-midare with some 'legs' (ashi) in nioi and ko-nie and with bright kinsuji appearing on both sides.
Point (boshi): small and rounded (ko-maru) with slight turn-back.
Tang (nakago). Shape (keitai): tapering, regular form with strong curve; file marks (yasurime): slanted (katte-sagari); end (nakagojiri): saki kurijiri; holes (mekugi-ana): two (one being a shinobi-ana, a secondary peg hole for additional security); signature (tachimei): Hiromitsu.
Shirasaya with attestation by Sato Kanzan.
Itomaki tachi koshirae, Edo period (18th century) comprising: a nashiji saya decorated with flowering wistaria vines in gold and silver lacquer, the flowers executed in carved mother-of-pearl; a complete set of shakudo nanako mounts emblazoned with gilt jo-mon of the Hamuro family in raised gilt copper; the fuchi inscribed Hiromitsu; the underside of the o-seppa scratched Goto and Mitsuhiro--overall length of koshirae 102cm.; length of tsuka 22.7cm.; tsuba height 7.8cm., width 7.6cm., thickness 8.5cm.
Accompanied by a juyo token certificate issued by the N.B.T.H.K., dated Showa 48 (1973); and a tokubetsu kicho koshirae certificate issued by the N.B.T.H.K., no. 0005, dated Showa 47 (1972).
