Katana by Ono Yoshimitsu (Mukansa smith)

[AlexiG]

Type (Tachi, Katana, Wakizashi, Tanto, Naginata, Other) : Tachi
Ubu, Suriage or O-Suriage : Ubu
Mei : (Mumei, Signature) :  義光造  Yoshimitsu Tsukuru

reverse side: 昭和五十二年八月吉日 Showa 52 Nen 8 Gatsu Kichijitsu (Aug 1977, if my conversion is correct)
Papered or not and by whom? :  NBSK
Era/Age :  Gendaito (Modern)
Shirasaya, Koshirae or Bare Blade? : Shirasaya
Nagasa/Blade Length : 69.8cm or 27.48inches
Sori : 2.3cm or 0.9inches
Hamon Type : Koniedeki Suguha with lots of Koashi. Boshi curves a little bit like Mimasaka-style and turns back round. Very bright and even nioibuchi.
Jihada : Fine itame with utsuri
Other Hataraki Visible : 
Flaws : No
Sword Location : CA, USA
Will ship to :  Worldwide
Payment Methods Accepted : Cash (if we meet in person), check, cashier's check, PayPal
Price and Currency : $12 000 (USD)
Returns Policy: 7-day inspection period for US buyers. No international returns. 
Other Info and Full Description : Sword comes with gold foiled double habaki in shirasaya with a bag, and certificate of authenticity. Very high-quality polish. Bizen style work, which is typical of Yoshimitsu. Elegant and understated. I have a note from Mr. Yoshimitsu that the ore he used for this sword came from his teacher (Yoshindo Yoshihara), as it was made before the Okuizumo tatara started operations late in 1977. Sword was made one year after he became an independent smith.

 

I bought the sword from Aoi Art in 2023. Selling to fund another purchase. 

 

 

 

[AlexiG]

Entire blade. Photo credit Aoi Art

[eternal_newbie]

Nice sword. Worth noting that Yoshimitsu is also a dedicated martial arts practitioner and this style of suguha with chu-kissaki and moderate sori represent his personal ideal for a martial arts blade, the kind he makes for his own use in iaido practice.

[Katsujinken]

Indeed. And when you see one of his blades with two mekugi ana, you can be confident he designed the blade for tameshigiri. Great blades!

[Takezo]

Beautiful piece. Someone needs to pick this up.