NBTHK Hozon Signed Katana Taira Shigemori dated 1535 2nd October 74,5 CM nagasa

Lexvdjagt · March 23

Late Muromachi Period – Bungo Province
Dated: Tenbun 4, October 2 (1535)

Specifications:
刃長 (Nagasa – Blade Length): 74.5 cm
反り (Sori – Curvature): 3.1 cm
元幅 (Motohaba – Width at Base): 2.94 cm
先幅 (Sakihaba – Width at Tip): 1.72 cm
元重ね (Motokasane – Thickness at Base): 0.76 cm
先重ね (Sakikasane – Thickness at Tip): 0.41 cm
目釘穴 (Mekugi-ana – Number of Peg Holes): 1

Blade Description:
This signed katana by Taira Shigemori is a fine and rare example of Bungo craftsmanship from the late Muromachi period, bearing a clearly legible date of Tenbun 4 (1535) 2nd of October. Housed in a shirasaya and accompanied by an NBTHK Hozon Certificate.

Forged in shinogi-zukuri style with a small kissaki, high shinogi, and low iori-mune, the blade displays a strong tachi-like style. Both the omote and ura sides feature a bo-hi that continues into the tang.

The jigane is a tight ko-itame mixed with ko-mokume, with sections showing flowing patterns and standing grain. Ji-nie appears thick across the blade, with active chikei and faint utsuri. The jigane is in general in good condition.

The hamon is based in gunome-midare, incorporating ko-midare and ko-choji, with a slightly subdued but clean nioiguchi lined with fine ko-nie. Inside the hamon are clear ashi and yo.

The bōshi is of notare-komi style, ending in an o-maru turn-back. The boshi is a little faint and hard to photograph.

The nakago remains ubu, with a kurijiri and sujikai yasurime. It is signed and dated. The blade is fitted with a silver habaki and has undergone professional polishing, with a few scratches as can be seen in the images.

This blade has a significant 3.1 cm sori, which gives it a beautiful appearance. The blade is generally in good condition, with only a few flaws which can all be seen on the images. Including a Homare-Kizu on the mune, as seen on the images. Homare Kizu is evidence that this blade was stuck by a different blade/object which caused the indent.

Some images may show some reflections or dust particles, please keep this in mind while looking at the images.