Samurai Katana - Attributed To Masayoshi - With Nthk Certificate - Bunmei Era (1469-1487).

JAPAN - Bunmei era (1469-1487). Samurai katana. FUSHI - KASHIRA en suite in silver-plated copper decorated with plover birds fluttering above the waves (symbol of good omen). Black lacquered ringed TSUKA. MENUKIS in chiseled and gilded copper depicting turnips. TSUBA tato-ite-gata in chiseled, patinated and gilded copper depicting bunches of millet on a very fine nanako background, signed. SAYA in wood covered with a smooth and shiny black lacquer. HABAKI in silver-plated copper engraved with oblique striations. Straight blade, regular hamon, straight and well marked, the tang perforated four times, unsigned. Sold with the stand, its silk sheath for transport and its NTHK certificate. Dimensions: 84 x 7.5 x 6 cm. Length of the blade with the tang: 78 cm. Length of the cutting edge: 61.6 cm. Curvature (sori): 1.1 cm. Notes: This blade is attributed to Sakakura Masayoshi, during the Bunmei era (1469-1487: Mid Muromachi period) in Noshu, according to NTHK's assessment. Noshu is another name for Mino Province (present-day Gifu Prefecture). The name of the maker Masayoshi lasted for several generations, and we believe this blade was forged by the second-generation Masayoshi, who was active during the Bunmei era. He forged swords in the town of Sakakura, near the city of Seki (the central area of Mino Province), so he was also called the swordsmith of Sakura Seki. He also forged swords in Akasaka, another sword-making center in Mino Province. His son, Masatoshi, also became a famous smith of Sakura Seki swords in Mino. It is said that Sakakura Saki had a technological exchange with the Muramasa school, a prestigious swordmaking school at the time. Masa's (IE) signature made by Masatusgu resembles that of Masa's (IE) signature made by Muramasa (FTIE) to support this reasoning. The MINO swordsmith style, also known as MINO-DEN, essentially has the TOGARI (pointed shapes protruding from the Hamon) in a classic straight line and a random temper line with white Utsuri. MINO-DEN originated in the late Kamakura period (1280-1330). It flourished in the Muromachi period (1333-1573) and continued until the Edo period (1603-1868). Mino-den particularly prospered during the Sengoku Jidai (Warring States Period) due to the high demand for weapons. And the location of Mino Province beat out the others. Akechi Mitsuhide controlled Mino Province, Nobunaga Oda ruled Owari Province, and Tokugawa Leyasu was the lord of Suruga (neighboring regions). There was a high demand from these powerful feudal lords and their retainers. In addition, many wars took place between the Kanto region and the Kyoto region, and Mino is located in the middle, so feudal lords felt comfortable ordering swords from Mino-den. Blades forged in Mino Provinces also had a reputation for their practical design and sharpness. Therefore, many feudal lords demanded swords forged in Mino Province.