Mumei Reizei Sadamori Katana Nanbokucho Period in Koshirae

Type: Katana

Nakago: O-suriage Mumei

Period: Nanbokucho period, ca. 1345–1370 AD

Papers: NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon

Horimono: None

Habaki: Silver plated

Koshirae: Yes, Bakumatsu-period koshirae

Specifications:

Nagasa (Cutting-edge length): 70.90cm

Sori (Curvature): To be measured

Motohaba: To be measured

Sakihaba: To be measured

Construction: Shinogi-zukuri-Chu Kissaki

Description:

Attributed to Reizei Sadamori and authenticated by NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon papers. This is a well-preserved, long o-suriage mumei katana attributed to one of the important Kongobyoe smiths active in Chikuzen Province during the Nanbokucho period.

Reizei Sadamori belonged to the Kongobyoe tradition, an old Kyushu school strongly influenced by Yamato workmanship. Signed works by Sadamori are extremely rare, and the majority of blades attributed to him today are long Nanbokucho katana that were shortened and became unsigned over the centuries. His surviving work includes numerous highly ranked examples, including Juyo and Tokubetsu Juyo blades.

The sword has a predominantly suguha hamon with a clearly visible nioi-guchi. The jihada is well forged in itame with areas tending toward masame including some mokume patterns, particularly toward the cutting edge.

At 70.90cm, the blade remains impressively long despite having undergone o-suriage. It retains the imposing sugata associated with Nanbokucho-period sword.

The sword is in good condition and good polish, allowing the nioi-guchi and details of the jihada to be clearly appreciated. There are only a few small kitae-ware, which are minor and do not significantly detract from the overall appearance of the blade. And expected for swords of this age.

The sword is accompanied by a Bakumatsu-period koshirae, with a newly done tsuka-ito, and having an overall nara-school theme for the fittings, the fittings are all brown and copper. The koshirae is a very nice compliment to this ancient sword.