Japanese Katana Sword, Shirasaya Mounted Blade, With Nbthk Certificate - Late Muromashi.

JAPAN - Late Muromashi (1st half of the 16th century). Samurai katana. FUSHI - KASHIRA en suite in copper with black and gold patina. TSUKA in wood covered with black dyed ray skin, braided with leather. MENUKIS in copper depicting shishis. TSUBA mokko-gatta in copper stamped with geometric patterns, the mimi in silver, it is lined with two shaped plates in cut copper. SAYA in lacquered wood using the Kin-Mushi-kui Nuri technique, rice husk prints are affixed to a black lacquer followed by the application of gold leaf. HABAKI in copper. Straight blade, regular hamon, straight and well marked, the tang perforated twice, signed Kanemitsu. The name of the maker, Kanemitsu, lasted a few generations from the Nanbokucho-Muromachi period. We believe this blade was made by the end of the Kanemitsu generation in the late Muromachi period (early-mid 16th century), based on its characteristics and evaluation. Kanemitsu resided in Seki City, located in Mino Province (present-day Gifu Prefecture). In Mino Province, Seki City was then the most active swordsmithing city. First-generation Kanemitsu is said to be the third son of Yamato Tegai Kanenaga (大和手搔包永) and originally resided in Yamato Province (present-day Nara Prefecture). Kanemitsu originally signed Kanemitsu but changed his maker's name when he moved to Mino Province at the end of the Nanbokucho period. The swordsmiths who resided in Mino Province developed a particular tradition of sword forging called MINO-DEN. Its characteristic is the TOGARI (pointed shapes protruding from the Hamon) in a classic straight line and a random temper line with a little white Utsuri. MINO-DEN originated from YAMATO-DEN in the late KAMAKURA period (1280-1330). It flourished during the MUROMACHI period (1333-1573) and continued until the EDO period (1603-1868). MINO-DEN particularly flourished during Sengoku Jidai (Warring States Period) due to the high demand for weapons. Sold with the stand, its silk carrying case and its NBTHK certificate. NBTHK also known as Nihon Bijutsu Touken Hozon Kyokai (the Society for the Preservation of Japanese Sword Art), is one of the oldest Japanese sword appraisal organizations in modern Japan. Dimensions: 95 x 8 x 7.5 cm. Cutting edge length: 60.3 cm. Curvature: 1.3 cm.