Nihonto, Katana AA20-3500 NBTHK Hozon Koto Mumei Katana from Kozori School with NBTHK Kicho Kodogu
Overview: This gorgeous Handachi features both a recent (2024) Hozon rating (worthy of preservation) and historical (1969) Kicho rating for its Koshirae. Attributed to the Kozori collective of Bizen smiths of the late Nanbokucho to early Muromachi period, this blade features many of the hallmarks of the work coming out of that group.
Blade: An elegant 2.5cm Koshi-Zori katana is presented in a subdued format as was the Kozori speciality as opposed to mainline Bizen boldness. The expected itame ji-hada with ko-mokume is present, along with their function but non-flamboyant ko-gunome midare hamon. That is not to say that this sword is not purely function over form-a broad nio-guchi base with a light dusting of ko-nie is present alone with pale bo-utsuri with soft midare fluctuations. Fine ashi, sunagashi and kinsuji is also visible. The sword is not young and in addition to its polish not being fresh, a few openings have been exposed (pictured) over the centuries. A single koshi-hi is present on the omote side. A solid silver one piece habaki fits the sword snuggly. Shirasaya included.
Koshirae: The matching handachi Kkoshirae earned Kicho Kodogu back in 1969, long before the sword earned Hozon. Built arouns a black ishime saya, the matching iron fittings all feature the karakusa (arabesque) vine motif in silver inlay. The menuki are of a shakudo base with gold and display the amaryu or rain dragon. Lastly the mumei iron sukashi tsuba is an abstract representation of susaki-gari or harvested/swaying autumn pampas grass. It could also potentially be azami (thistle) or kiri (paulownia) and may be Akasaka school. The koshirae includes a tsunagi and bukuro.
Issues: This sword is for study only. I do not believe the koshirae to be original to the blade. It does not fit flush with the koiguchi (pictured) and there was a significant amount of time from when the koshirae and sword were papered. The Torokusho from 1976 is however confirmed on the Hozon paperwork and matched to the blade. The shirasaya has a small split occurring from temperature changes.
We are proud to offer this set as our first investment grade piece and hope it finds its forever home!
Type: Katana
Tsukurikomi: Shinogi-zukuri
Class: Study
Ratings: Blade-NBTHK Hozon 2024, Koshirae-NBTHK Kicho 1969
Period: Koto-Late Nanbokucho to Early Muromachi
Nagasa: 71.2cm
Sori: 2.5cm
Motohaba: 28mm
Sakihaba: 18.8mm
Motokasane: 6.5mm
Sakikasane: 4.2mm
Kissaki: Chu-Kissaki
Mei: Mumei
Mekugiana: 2
Yasurime: Possible Katte-sagari or Kiri
Nakago: Suriage
Blade Weight: 603g
Hamon: Ko-gunome midare
Hada: Itame with Ko-Mokume
Tsuka: 25.2cm
Total Length: 100.8cm
Total Weight: 1109g
Registration: No. 32110 3rd, March 1976 (Showa 51)
All measurements taken by hand and subject to variance. We are not responsible for errors in description or history/attribution. Please review all photos carefully and purchase with confidence.
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