{"product_id":"authentic-japanese-sword-for-sale-shinto-era-katana-mumei-tozando","title":"Authentic Japanese Sword for Sale - Shinto Era Katana - Mumei| Tozando","description":"\u003ch2\u003eAntique Japanese Katana, unsigned (mumei) — early Edo period (Shintō) — ubu, with bō-hi on both faces — in a magnificent raden (mother-of-pearl) period koshirae, with shirasaya\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eUbu, unsigned early-Edo katana of over 2 shaku 3 sun · densely forged itame with fine ji-nie · a lively ko-nie gunome-midare with ashi and yō · bō-hi on both faces with maru-dome · dressed in a lavish shell-inlaid (raden) mounting\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe early Edo period — the age when, as the country turned toward lasting peace, the aesthetic of the warrior came into full flower. Here is a high-toned blade of commanding stature, a full 2 shaku 3 sun 8 bu in length. Beyond the soundness of the blade itself, the vivid \u003cem\u003ebō-hi\u003c\/em\u003e carved on both faces and the sumptuous \u003cem\u003eraden\u003c\/em\u003e (mother-of-pearl) mounting — which shifts its expression with the angle of the light — harmonize beautifully, making this a piece of great satisfaction for both appreciation and collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWorkmanship and condition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFreshly polished, the blade keeps a fresh, vivid condition in both ground and edge. The \u003cem\u003ejigane\u003c\/em\u003e is a densely forged \u003cem\u003eitame\u003c\/em\u003e, carpeted with fine \u003cem\u003eji-nie\u003c\/em\u003e for a clear, limpid surface. The \u003cem\u003ehamon\u003c\/em\u003e is a rich \u003cem\u003emidare\u003c\/em\u003e of \u003cem\u003eko-nie-deki\u003c\/em\u003e — a \u003cem\u003egunome\u003c\/em\u003e mixed with \u003cem\u003eko-midare\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eko-notare\u003c\/em\u003e — with fine \u003cem\u003eko-nie\u003c\/em\u003e gathered firmly along the temper edge, and \u003cem\u003eashi\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eyō\u003c\/em\u003e scattering softly into the edge. Each time it is held to the light, the undulating temper rises vividly, delighting the viewer's eye.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eForm\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor its generous \u003cem\u003enagasa\u003c\/em\u003e of 2 shaku 3 sun 8 bu (about 72 cm), the blade is finished with a rather shallow \u003cem\u003esori\u003c\/em\u003e, giving a dignified, composed figure. One of its great highlights is the \u003cem\u003ebō-hi\u003c\/em\u003e (straight groove) on both faces, carefully finished with rounded ends (\u003cem\u003emaru-dome\u003c\/em\u003e) — the mark of meticulous work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe koshirae\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat further raises the value of this piece is its period mounting, taken to the very height of ornament: a \u003cem\u003eraden\u003c\/em\u003e (shell-inlay) scabbard \u003cem\u003ekoshirae\u003c\/em\u003e. Finely crushed shell is inlaid across the entire \u003cem\u003esaya\u003c\/em\u003e in the \u003cem\u003eraden\u003c\/em\u003e technique, giving off a bewitching, high-toned radiance like stars glittering in the dark — a sumptuous design gathering the essence of Japanese traditional craft, of the kind seen even on the \u003cem\u003ekazari-tachi\u003c\/em\u003e and tachi that are National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties of the Heian period. The hilt is finished in \u003cem\u003esō-same-maki\u003c\/em\u003e, the top grade of work, lavishly wrapped in high-quality ray skin, and the fittings — beginning with a bold, high-toned \u003cem\u003eunryū\u003c\/em\u003e (dragon-in-clouds) \u003cem\u003efuchi-kashira\u003c\/em\u003e — are fine pieces worked in detail throughout. It is a work that vividly speaks of the former owner's exceptional means and very high aesthetic sense. A \u003cem\u003eshirasaya\u003c\/em\u003e, indispensable for careful storage, is also included, completing the ensemble as a cherished piece.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThough unsigned, the clear ground and flamboyant temper peculiar to the early Edo (\u003cem\u003eshintō\u003c\/em\u003e) period reveal the hand of a capable, leading smith. Lavishly forged ground and temper, a crisp bō-hi line running true, a lively ko-nie-deki midare edge, and a raden mounting strewn with light — this fine piece distills the craft beauty of the early Edo period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Katana (shinogi-zukuri), with bō-hi on both faces (maru-dome)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSignature (mei):\u003c\/strong\u003e unsigned (mumei), ubu (un-shortened) tang\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCertification:\u003c\/strong\u003e none\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePeriod:\u003c\/strong\u003e Early Edo period (shintō) (attributed)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eJigane:\u003c\/strong\u003e densely forged itame with fine ji-nie; clear\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHamon:\u003c\/strong\u003e ko-nie-deki gunome mixed with ko-midare and ko-notare, with ashi and yō\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBlade length (nagasa):\u003c\/strong\u003e 72.1 cm \/ 28.39 in (2 shaku 3 sun 8 bu)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCurvature (sori):\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.0 cm (rather shallow)\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWidth at base (motohaba):\u003c\/strong\u003e 29.5 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThickness at base (motokasane):\u003c\/strong\u003e 7.1 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWidth at tip (sakihaba):\u003c\/strong\u003e 18.8 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThickness at tip (sakikasane):\u003c\/strong\u003e 4.1 mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight (blade only):\u003c\/strong\u003e 630 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight (without scabbard):\u003c\/strong\u003e 910 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCondition:\u003c\/strong\u003e freshly polished; ground and edge fresh and sound\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMounting:\u003c\/strong\u003e raden (mother-of-pearl inlay) period koshirae — shell-inlaid saya, full ray-skin (sō-same) hilt, unryū (dragon-in-clouds) fuchi-kashira, iron tsuba; shirasaya also included\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTorokushō (Japanese registration) No.:\u003c\/strong\u003e Osaka 99153\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Tozando Katana Shop","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53732634689899,"sku":"611-OSK099153","price":700000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0491\/2178\/8069\/files\/osaka99153_mumei_1.jpg?v=1786955060","url":"https:\/\/japanesesword.net\/products\/authentic-japanese-sword-for-sale-shinto-era-katana-mumei-tozando","provider":"Tozando Katana Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}