Echizen Rai Mumei Katana in Koshirae and Shirasaya

 

Type: Katana

Nakago: Mumei

Period: Nanbokucho period around 1360–1380 AD

Papers: NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon

Horimono:

Habaki:

Koshirae: Koshirae and Shirasaya

 

Specifications:

 

Nagasa (Cutting-edge length): 65.45 cm

Sori (Curvature): about 1,2 cm

Motohaba: To be measured

Sakihaba: To be measured

Kasane: To be measured

Weight (bare): To be measured

Construction: Shinogi-zukuri

 

Description:

 

Attributed to Echizen Rai by NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon papers in 2022. The Echizen Rai school was founded by Rai Kuniyasu of the famous Rai school of Yamashiro who relocating to Echizen Province during the Nanbokuchō period. Echizen Rai swords are made in Yamashiro-den and exhibit stunning Jihada.

 

This katana is a beautiful Nanbokucho-period example, with a wide mihaba and a Chu-kissaki. The katana features a suguha Hamon, with abundant activity. The real beauty of this sword is in the Jihada, exhibiting stunning itame and mokume patterns which are quite “in your face”. There is some muneyaki on the mune close to the kissaki, but this really only adds to the allure in my opinion. There are some small imperfections which are expected for a Nanbokucho sword, but the sword preserves a beautiful Nanbokucho appearance.

 

The sword is accompanied by a (mostly) modern Red and White themed koshirae with a red saya and white tsuka-ito. The Tsuba and other tosogu are all edo period. And a newly made shirasaya for long-term preservation. A complete package at an affordable price, a true Yamashiro-den katana that is perfect for the jigane lovers among us ;).