A BIZEN OSAFUNE TACHI

Details

A BIZEN OSAFUNE TACHI
KAMAKURA PERIOD (CIRCA 1320), SIGNED BISHU [NO] JU OSAFUNE KAGE[MITSU]

Configuration (sugata): with longitudinal ridge line (shinogi-zukuri), shallow peaked back (iori-mune) and medium point (chu-kissaki); length (nagasa): 2 shaku, 6 sun, 1 bu (79cm.); curvature (sori): strong koshi-zori of 2.6cm.; increase in width of blade (fumbari): 1.0cm.
Forging pattern (jihada): itame mokume.
Tempering pattern (hamon): suguba notare with clove-like patterns (choji) in tight nioi, and 'legs' (ashi).
Point (boshi): notare-komi with ko-maru.
Tang (nakago). Shape (keitai): slender, tapering, shaved somewhat on the back and shortened (suriage); file marks (yasurime): slanted (katte-sagari) (later); end (nakagojiri): squared (kirijiri); holes (mekugi-ana): four (one plugged); signature (tachimei): Bishu [no] ju Osafune Kage--[suriage].

Shirasaya with attestation signed Kunzan (Homma Junji).

Accompanied by a juyo token certificate issued by the N.B.T.H.K., dated Showa 43 (1968).

Provenance

Aoyama family, daimyo of Sasayama in Tamba.

Literature

Juyo token to zufu, vol. 17.
One Hundred Masterpieces (1992), no. 15.

Lot Essay

Like the preceding sword by Kagemitsu, this example displays the subtle combination of forging and tempering for which he is known. The shape, however, differs totally from the previous Ko-Bizen inspired tachi. This is a much broader and heftier blade, more in keeping with its time and more closely resembling the naginata for which Kagemistu was also well known.