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Property of a lady
A ko-Bizen katana
Attributed to Bizen Kanemitsu, Kamakura period (1185-1333) or Nanbokucho era (1333-1392), circa 1330-1340Sugata (configuration): honzukuri, iorimune, chu-gissaki, slight sakizori with a wide mihaba and thick kasaneKitae (forging pattern): tightly packed ko-itame mixed with some mokume based in nie Hamon (tempering pattern): choji midare mixed with gunome midare tapering to a gentle notare toward the tip in nie and nioi with ashi, saka-ashi, tobiyaki, ko-choji and utsuri throughout Boshi (tip): midare komiHorimono (carving): bohi on both sidesNakago (tang): o-suriage with later file marks and four holes, one cut, and tachi mei Bizen Osafune no ju Kane[] (truncated signature)Habaki (collar): two-piece goldNagasa (length from tip to beginning of tang): 29 7/8in (75.8cm) longMotohaba (width at start of tempered edge): 1 1/4in (3.2cm) wideSakihaba (width before tip): 1in (2.5cm) wide In shirasaya (wood storage scabbard) with attestation and valuation by Hon'ami Kojo and dated Kanbun nana nen (1667)
注脚
This fine old sword was forged sometime during the first half of the 14th century in Bizen province, modern Okayama Prefecture. It exhibits many of the qualities associated with works by the great swordsmith Kanemitsu. The robust blade is wide and thick throughout, with little taper from the start of the cutting edge to the tip. The temper along the sharpened edge begins as an active, rolling clove-shaped pattern near the tang, and gradually settles to a gentler undulating line toward the tip. Clearly visible on the body of the sword between the cutting edge and the groove running down the back are numerous patterns and shapes in the steel that were purposely exaggerated by the swordsmith during the forging process. These include such phenomena as reflections of the temper line; hard, crystalline inclusions showing as either dots or lines resembling wood grain; or hazy patches resembling clouds. These phenomena are all characteristic of the swords Kanemitsu produced during the later stages of his career. The sword is kept in an old wood storage scabbard bearing an attestation to Bizen Kanemitsu written by Hon'ami Kojo (1643-1710). Kojo served as the 12th-generation master of the mainline of the Hon'ami family of sword appraisers until about 1680. He was employed by the Tokugawa shogunate. Attributions and valuations by Kojo are considered reliable.
