A69849(S2076)
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Katana unsigned attributed to a work of AOE with) Black lacquered Sendan-Kizami Notches scabbard Uchikatana Koshirae

Koto End of Kamakura period (about 700 years ago) Bitchu
Length of cutting edge67.8cm Curvature1.8cm Width of base28.0mm Width of Yokote20.0mm Thickness of base7.0mm

NBTHK(The 54th JUYO TOKEN)

with) Black lacquered Sendan-Kizami Notches scabbard Uchikatana Koshirae

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Blade construction (kengyo) : Shinogi-zuruki, Iori-mune. Even it's Suriage shortened status, there is rather deep curve standing firmly leading to the middle kissaki. There is less difference in Mihaba between base and tip. Chiselled away Ryo-Chiri style Bo-hi grooves on both sides that start from upper the Shinogi-ji tip. (click HERE for high resolution of the blade photograph)
Forging pattern (kitae hada) : Kitae hada is Itame hada, partial flowing ware mixing with Mokume burl pattern. The entire hiraji is covered with fine Ji-nie (hard metal granules over the surface of the blade) and shows whitish utsuri reflection.
Tempering pattern (hamon) : Hamon is fine ko-nie base, Suguha, small gunome and small clove outline, delicate ASHI feet shows slanting indication. Lower the blade more tight the solid NIOI, Upper the blade, brighter and deeper the NIE and NOI.
Temper of tip (boshi) : Boshi in front is shallow wavy with sharped up indication and other side shows tilts down slightly, both turns small circles back.
Tang (Nakago) : Nakago is O-suriage cut, unsigned. Kurijiri round heel shape. KIRI horizontal filemarks. Three Mekugi-ana peg holes, two filled. There remains SHU-GAKI writing 朱書 traces.
Bitchu-domain 備中国 (now in west Okayama pref.) has been widely known as top quality steel producing area.
Fujiwara Akihira 藤原 明衡, SHIN-SARU-GOUKI , 『新猿楽記』 ealry 11th C. introduced AOE sword as the local speciality in Bitchu domain. After two centuries, sword makers rose to power in AOE area where is located down of the Takahashi River. Generic name from end of Heian to middle of Kamakura (early 12th - middle 13th C.) is called Ko-AOE 古青江 and later Kamakura to Nanbokucho period (middle 13th - end 14th C.) is called AOE 青江.
A viewpoint of Ko-AOE shows rather strong NIE treandency, dim NIOI and Straight temper with small Komidare line, whereas works of AOE had become to show moderate NIE to be more tight and brighter Nioi indication and temper shows straight or unique slanted Clove outline.
This katana shows conspicuous Itame containing some Mokume which is so called CHIRIMEN crapy hada-ware. Fine JI-NIE sparkling hard metal granules attaches over the surface and shows minute NIE lines so called CHIKEI activity. Temper line indicates typical AOE works - Suguha straight base, small gunome and clove outline of which slanting Ashi feet radiates to the cutting edge. Although it is Osuriage, there still remains degnified deep curvature even Nakago curves standing firmly, massive volume in Hiraniku in strikingly sound condition. It is a famed work of healthy Ji-ha. for the age of 700 years.
Black lacquered Sendan-Kizami Notches scabbard Uchikatana Koshirae comprising :
(click HERE for each ornamental fitting in detail/click HERE for the entire koshirae fitting)
White lay-skin purple cord lozenge wrapped Hilt
Fuchi/Kashira Lobsters in waves, Shakudo copper alloy, gold Iroe inlay signed as Gotō　Shujo (a seal of artisan)
Menuki Monkey rides on horse, Shakudo copper alloy, gold Iroe inlay
Tsuba Fishing Net Openwork, Iron ground sloping shoulders rectangular shape, Shakudo Fukurin twisting rim.
note) KOJIRI end of the scabbard, made of buffalo horn, shows worm-eaten marks.
Double layer gold foiled Habaki collar, preserved in a plain wood shirasaya mounting.
The top quality polish/Condition scale: excellent (using a scale of mint-excellent-very good-good-fair-poor).