Kantei

NH-0224 Rank 96

Osafune Kiyomitsu

Bizen Osafune katana signed by Kiyomitsu and dated the 2nd month of Tenbun 22 (1553), with Tokubetsu Hozon papers and a complete mounting shown in the photographs.

Kotō (up to 1596)2nd month of Tenbun 22 (1553)BizenNBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon

Silhouette of the blade to scale, aligned at the machi

Photographs by the seller at origin.

Description

Katana of the Osafune school of Bizen province by Kiyomitsu, one of the best-known names of mid-Muromachi Sue-Bizen. Based on the date and workmanship, the original seller attributes it to Gorōzaemon-no-jō Kiyomitsu. The blade has a nagasa of 70.0 cm with 2.6 cm of sori, a motohaba of 3.15 cm and a sakihaba of 2.38 cm; its 0.9 cm motokasane makes it, in the original seller's words, a robust blade. The photographs show a medium kissaki and bōhi on both sides. The nakago bears the signature "Bizen no kuni jū Osafune Kiyomitsu saku kore" on the omote and the date "Tenbun 22, 2nd month, an auspicious day" on the ura; the tang appears to keep its original end, with three mekugi-ana. The piece comes with a complete koshirae: black lacquered saya with a crackle pattern and a kojiri with raised flames, a pierced iron tsuba, iron fuchi-kashira with waves and a tsuka with worn ito; a shirasaya is also included. The photographs show the NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon paper issued in 2023.

Strong points

  • Signed and dated: Tenbun 22 (1553)
  • NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon paper (2023) photographed
  • Robust blade with a 0.9 cm motokasane
  • Complete koshirae with flame kojiri, plus shirasaya

Points to bear in mind

  • The original seller does not state the condition of the blade or its polish
  • The mounting is neither dated nor described in writing
  • Three mekugi-ana in the nakago

Score breakdown

55/100

The score shares out 100 points: Signature and date 18 · Tang 22 · Mounting 18 · Declared condition 20 · Blade 8 · Shirasaya 4 · Price 10. It is computed from the record, not from an opinion. The mounting starts from what is known of its period, adds what vouches for it (its own NBTHK paper, a signed fitting, a crest) and subtracts what has been restored (saya, ito, same, habaki or sageo).

  1. Signature and date 18 of 18 Signed and with an engraved date
  2. Tang 17 of 22 Tang intact according to the photographs, but with 3 mekugi-ana
  3. Mounting -2 of 18 Mounting documented only in the photographs
  4. Declared condition 11 of 20 Condition not declared
  5. Blade 8 of 8 70 cm: within the usable range
  6. Shirasaya 0 of 4 No shirasaya: one will have to be made
  7. Price 3 of 10 Rank 97 of 139 by price, from the most affordable to the dearest