I174125(S8894)
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Katana unsigned attributed to a work of Ko Uta

Koto Nanbokucho period (Enbun/circa 1356 -) E'tchu
Length of cutting edge73.2cm Curvature1.6cm Width of base31.4mm Width of Yokote23.5mm Thickness of base6.5mm Thickness of Shinogi-suji 7.4mm

NBTHK(Tokubetsu Hozon) certificate

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Sugata(configuration) : Osuriage substantially shortened. Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune. Long katana. Mihaba on base is wide, high in Shinogi-suji, thick in Kasane and less degree of tapering from base to point. A bit on shallower side waist pointed curve leading to a large point of kissaki. There is Katachiri-style chiselled away Bo-hi grooves on both sides. The blade remains heroical shape, impressively heavy in hand. (click HERE for higher resolution)
Kitae(forging pattern) :Steel shows darkish blue impression. Kitae-hada is outstanding large Itame-hada and shows Mokume (wooden burl) grain mark partially to generate Matsukawa-hada like Pine bark. Quenching boundary line side shows conspicuous flawing Masame straight hada ware. Upper the blade, temper splashes more over to surface to show Yubashiri and splashed Tobiyaki activity.
Hamon(tempering pattern) : Flamboyant Hamon is composed of Notare wavy outline mixing with Niju-ha (double), Hotsure-ha (frayed) and Gunome(zigzag). Fine Nie glitter falls on along the boundary line thickly and gives off sparkling brilliance. The interior of temper is filled with whitish Nioi-mist deeply and active with thick Nie lines such as Kinsen and Sunagashi frequently.
Boshi (tip): The temper of tip is irregular line indicating intensive Hakikake then medium circle turns back.
Nakago(tang) : Osuriage substantially shortened. One mekugi-ana retaining hole and remains the possible original semicircular mark of retaining hole at the heel. KIRI (horizontal) heel shape, shallow Katte-sagari slight slighting left filemark and flat back ridge.

The founder UTA school, KUNIMITSU 国光 came from Uta-gun, Yamato to E'tchu domain (now Toyama pref.) in end of Kamakura, 14th C. In the early days of UTA works commonly shows pure feature of Yamato tradition technique then next generations during Nanbokucho period, like the 1st gen. KUNIFUSA 国房 who learned from NORISHIGE 則重 or his brothers KUNIMUNE 国宗, had adopted Soshu technique to meet the increasing demands of the times from brave Samurai.
For those works on before Nanbokucho period is called Ko-Uta 古宇多 whereas the later generations in Muromachi period is given a name of Uta 宇多.

This katana, although greatly cut off the Nakago, still holds impressively brave shape, long and wide leading to a large Kissaki, heavy in hands. Would the remaining semicircular hole at the heel be assumed as an original peg hole, the former original length of cutting edge would be as long as up to 90cm (35 inches or more).
The entire blade still ramains rich and massive volume and is no significant flaw to keep an old polish status that shows some minor scratches, insignificant slight rust or stains over the blade.
Old polish/Condition scale: very good (using a scale of mint-excellent-very good-good-fair-poor) condition.
Silver habaki collar. Preserved in a Shira-Saya plain wood mounting.