T306299(S2849)

Katana unsigned attributed to a work of Chiyozuru MORIHIRO

Koto Nanbokucho period (Shitoku era/1384-) Echizen
Length of cutting edge 73.9cm Curvature 2.6cm Width of base 31.0mm Width of Yokote 20.1mm Thickness of base 7.1mm

NBTHK(Hozon) certificate

 

Sugata(configuration) : Dignified-shaped Tachi of Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune. Ō-suriage sunstantially shortened. Mihaba on base is wide, less degree of tapering from base to elongated medium tip. The entire blade is created in an archaic style and has a highly defined curve near the center. Hira-ji is relatively wide in proportion to Shinogi-ji. The blade is well-proportioned Tachi style in Yamashiro tradition from Nanbokucho period.(click HERE for higher resolution image)
Kitae(forging pattern) : Kitae is Itame (wooden grain), mixing with streaming ware that appears mostly along boundary line. Sparkling hard metal granules of Ji-nie appears and that it gives off diffused reflection with a mottled effect so called "Rai-Utsuri".
Hamon(tempering pattern) : Hamon is Ko-nie a bit on stronger side Nie based, wide Suguha straight line, mixing with irregular Komidare, Knot of Fushi and Hotsure fray indication here and there. Long lines of NieKinsen appears along boundary line of Hamon where is vividly sparkling with accumulated deep Nie.
Boshi (tip): Boshi forms irregular line with intensive Hakikake short lines of Nie with medium circle turns back.
Nakago(tang) : The tang is substantially shortened Ō-suriage. Two Mekugi-ana (retaining holes). Slightly leftward file marks Katte-sagari on Hiraji whereas Shinogi-ji area is slanting-right on Tachi front and the other side shows leftward-slanting ridge area.

KUNIYASU 国安 who reportedly was a founder of CHIYOZURU 千代鶴 school, had belonged to Rai KUNITOSHI 来国俊 studio in Yamashiro. He named himself with the pseudonym of CHIYOZURU 千代鶴. In later years KUNIYASU 国安 moved to Echizen (now Fukui pref.) with his disciples to establish CHIYOZURU 千代鶴 school.

According to NihontoMeikan, the subject smith MORIHIRO 守弘 apprenticed to KUNIYASU 国安 and a couple of generations were perceived from Nanbokucho to early Muromachi period.
The subject Nanbokucho-style Tachi is given an expert opinion by NBTHK, attributed to a work of MORIHIRO 守弘 in Chiyozuru 千代鶴 school. Primarily measured up to 82cm long then substantially shortened by later generations resulted in unsigned.
Carefully selected fine steel generates Rai-Utsuri mottled reflection like a mist hung over the forest. Powerful shape long Tachi which was created in an traditional Yamashiro-style is presumed to be shortened Ō-suriage in Momoyama-period (1573-) and still remains relatively rich volume of Hiraniku. Nakago remains excellent taste of patina.
Old double layers Habaki collar, Silver foiled lower layer, Gold foiled upper layer (some part being worn out) Preserved in a Shirasaya plain wood mounting.
Recent good polish/Condition scale: excellent - very good (using a scale of mint-excellent-very good-good-fair-poor)
reference data : Honma Kunzan/Ishii Masakuni, Nihonto meikan, Yuzankaku, 1975