M28932(W2780)
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Wakizashi signed Bishu Osafune SUKESADA In the 2nd month,8th year of Eisho

Koto End of Muromachi period (Eisho 8/1511) Bizen
Length of cutting edge 60.3cm Curvature 2.1cm Width fo base 29.1mm Width of Yokote 18.4mm Thickness of base 6.7mm

NBTHK(Hozon) certificate

Blade construction: Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune, Kasane is a bit on thicker side and Mihaba on base is wide standing firmly on base with "Funbari". There is less degree of tapering from base to point holding waist pointed curvature as well as upper pointed curve in good proportion that leads to a medium tip "Kissaki". The entire blade was designed for one-hand swordsmanship during the Warning States period. (click HERE for higher resolution image of the entire blade)
Carving(Horimono): Round-end Bo-hi with additional Soe-hi groove on both sides.
Forging(Hada): Forging is Itame-hada, mixing in Mokume-hada. The entire Hiraji-surface is covered in speckled Ji-nie that generates reflecting irregular blinking "Utsuri" effect over the surface.
Temper(Hamon): Hamon is a bit on stronger side Nie hard metal granules base, combination of small Gunome and Clove (Choji) quench pattern where works with deep sparkling-Nie and deep "Noi" mist-like crystalline area. Some temper shows an indication of overflowing "YUBASHIRI" and isolated "YOBIYAKI" that splashes over the surface. In the interior of temper, there works with generous activities of Nie "Ashi in different angles and floating "YOU" as well as abundant "Nie-suji" lines of "Kin-suji" and "Sunagashi".
Temper of tip(Boshi): Boshi forms irregular "Midarekomi".
Tang(Nakago): Nakago is in UBU original. Two peg retaining holes. "Katte-sagari" (slightly slanting left) filemarks. Back ridge of Nakago is flat with "Katte-sagari" filemarks also. The Nakago is relatively short for it's cutting edge, double-bevelled heel mark in full so called "KURIJIRI".
The classical inscription signature in front is chiselled lower in Shinog-ji starting with the place of work, Bishu Osafune 備州長船 then smith name SUKESADA 祐定 and the other side is chiselled the date of year In the 2nd month, the 8th year of Eisho (1511) 永正八年二月日.

The latter half of Medieval Muromachi period, starting with The Onin War (応仁の乱 Onin no Ran) / (1467-77), the length and style of Japanese swords had changed - Eisho-Daiei(1504-27) it was generally 2.0 - 2.1 shaku(60-63cm) which was suitable for one-hand grip, Kyoroku-Tenbun(1528-40) it had become a bit longer to 2.2 shaku(66cm), then Ganki-Tenso(1570-91) it became further longer to 2.3 shaku or even more(70cm) and Nakago(tang) became getting longer accordingly which was designed in the style of both hands grip.
Japanese sword so called Sue Bizen 末備前, is sometimes called Eisho Bizen 永正備前 covers Bizen swords in Koto on after Eisho before Bunroku (ca.1504 - 95). Katsumitsu 勝光, Tadamitsu 忠光, Munemitsu 宗光, Kiyomitsu 清光, Sukesada 祐定 were the most distinguished sword makers.
The subject SUKESADA sword is deep in upper curve which was designed for fast draw out from scabbard and short Nakago proves that it was designed for one hand battle. Durable Itame wooden structure forging with stronger side quenching temper with defused reflection of steel "Utsuri", those were made for supreme sharp cutting performance.
This katana presents typical workmanship of Bizen Osafune works maintaining an almost original shape to hold excellent taste of patina on Nakago after 510 years from the Warning States period in full of brave Samurai spirit.

Silver ground copper Habaki collar, preserved in a Shirasaya plain wood mounting.
Good old polish/Condition scale: very good (using a scale of mint-excellent-very good-good-fair-poor)