100 - BISHU OSAFUNE HARUMITSU: A FINE KATANA IN KOSHIRAE

BISHU OSAFUNE HARUMITSU: A FINE KATANA IN KOSHIRAE By Bishu Osafune Harumitsu, signed Bishu Osafune Harumitsu Japan, dated 1506 The blade: Sugata (shape): shinogi zukuri, iori mune, torii-zori, chu-kissaki, futasuji-bi (double grooves) Hamon (temper line): gunome and midare, nie-deki, ashi, yo, kinsuji, and inazuma Hada (forging grain pattern): itame Boshi (tip): midare komi Nakago (tang): ubu (not shortened), kurijiri, one mekugi ana Mei/Uramei (signature): mei, Bishu Osafune Harumitsu, ura-mei, Eisho san nen ni gatsu nichi [on a day of the third month, Eisho 3 (1506)] The mounting: Habaki (blade collar): gold foil over copper, diagonal file marks Tsuba (sword guard): of marugata form, with two kogai hitsu ana, the iron ground worked in yo-sukashi with bamboo leaves and blossoms, signed Bushu ju Masanaga Fuchi-kashira (handle fittings): shakudo nanako with six gold takazogan zodiac animals (boar, ox, rat, horse, dragon, and dog) Tsuka (handle): samegawa (rayskin), black tsuka-ito, the gold menuki rendered with shishi and peonies Saya (sheath): black lacquer with black lacquer kurigata, dark brown horn kojiri and koiguchi NAGASA 67.1 cm (blade length), SORI 1.7 cm (curvature) LENGTH 82.5 cm (blade and tang), 98.2 cm (koshirae), 96.1 cm (shirasaya) Provenance: From a German private collection specializing in Japanese swords and fittings. Condition: Very good condition with minor wear, few kuchi-komi (rusty dimples) and few microscopic nicks to the cutting edge. The tsuka-ito with some tears and repairs, few small nicks to the habaki, light scratches to the lacquered saya.