An Echizen katana | Attributed to Chiyozuru Morihiro | Nambokucho period, 14th century

Property from an Important Private American Collection

An Echizen katana

Attributed to Chiyozuru Morihiro

Nanbokucho period, 14^th century 

Sugata [configuration]: deep torii zori, ko-kissaki

Kitae [forging pattern]: ko itame-hada

Hamon [tempering pattern]: suguha in ko-nie, ashi, kinsuji, utsuri

Boshi [tip]: Rounded midare-komi, hakikake style

Horimono [carvings]: single bohi to both sides

Nakago [tang]: o-suriage, one mekugi-ana, mumei. This early blade with shortened nakago has been extended (most likely for personal taste or indeed for balance on this heavy blade) during the Edo period, by the addition of a short length and two plugged mekugi-ana are visible, as are the welds.

Habaki [collar]: shakudo, single-clad

In shirasaya [plain wood scabbard]

Nagasa [length from kissaki to machi]: 75.5 cm., 29⅜ in.

Sori [curvature]: 1.6 cm., ⅝ in.

Saki-haba [width at the yokote]: 2.1 cm., ¾ in.

Moto-haba [width at the machi]: 3.6 cm., 1⅜ in.

Accompanied by a certificate of registration as Hozon Token [Sword Worthy of Preservation], no. 3027022 issued by the Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai [Society for the Preservation of the Japanese Art Sword], dated Reiwa 3 (2021).