A late Muromachi period katana in excellent condition has newly arrived.

The blade is fully polished throughout and is in sound condition with virtually no flaws. The jigane features a beautiful jihada pattern of itame mixed with mokume. The hamon is a niode-style sugu-ha, with hataki such as kinsen visible within the ha. The nakago bears the inscription “Bishu Osafune Sukesada” on the sashimote side and “Eiroku Gonen Hachigatsubi” on the sashiura side. This indicates the katana was forged in 1562.

Sue-Bizen refers to the collective term for swordsmiths from Bizen Osafune in the late Muromachi period. Among them, the Sukesada school gained particular renown and prospered for generations. This piece is not a so-called “kazu-uchi” work; it is a Bizen katana with a clearly inscribed signature and date. Therefore, it is highly likely to have been commissioned by a daimyo or samurai.

The koshirae is a uchigatana, featuring a dark brown silk tsukaito wrapped in the tsumami-,maki style. The fittings have a nice patina but do not appear to be original.

There is a crack in the koiguchi of the scabbard. If you would like a spare new scabbard added, it can be included for ¥10,000; please indicate this when placing your order.

This dated Sue-Bizen Sukesada is a truly exceptional piece that will surely be cherished as part of your collection for many years to come.

• Blade length: 65.3 cm
• Curvature: 1.7 cm
• Number of Mekugi hole: 2
• Sakihaba: 22.1mm
• Sakikasane: 5.1 mm
• Motohaba: 23.8 mm
• Motokasane: 6.8 mm
• Signature: Bishu Osafune Sukesada(front), Eiroku Gonen Hachigatu-bi(back)
• Era: Koto
• Structure: Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune
• Jigane: Itame with Mokume mixed in
• Hamon: Suguha
• Boshi: Massugu Haitte Nakamaru ni Kaeru
• Weight: 680 g(blade only)/910 g(without Saya)
• Nakago: Suriage
  
• Koshirae: Brown silk wrapped Tsuka with Kuro-ishime lacquered Saya
• Original Registration No.: Tokyo 316468

Please contact us if the katana you are looking for is not listed here.