Mitsuzane Katana
S0238
An ubu, zaimei uchigatana Muromachi katana signed Mitsuzane Saku. Shinogizukure, iroi mune, chu kissaki, pronounced sakizori, short fatsubi. Hawatare: 2 shaku 0 sun 6 bu 9 rin (62.7 cm. / 24.68"). Motohaba: 3.04 cm. Sakihaba: 1.97 cm. Kasane: 6.1 mm. The hamon is a florid gunome togare midare, hotsure, ashi iri, yo, ha nie, long and short kinsuji, muneyaki, nado. The jigane is whitish, tight itame, with ji nie and chikei, features to be expected from Chikugo and Chikuzen. Gilt copper habaki, and stripped Russo-Japanese War Naval saya. NTHK work sheet, rating it at 70 points, and dating it at Eisho (1504 - 1522). This piece needs, and deserves a decent polish, and should be a real eye popper in polish.
Swords of the Eisho period were notably short due to the sort of swordsmanship in the early Sengoku period (country at war), infantry fighting was close and crowded, and techniques involved making a cut as the sword was drawn. Longer swords were less functional in this situation. Notably, Eisho blades from Bizen and Mino may be classified as katana even if they are shorter than two shaku. So while many shy away from shorter swords, this is exactly what best represents this period of history.
Mitsuzane is recorded in at least seven texts, as listed in the Nihonto Meikan: Koto Meizu Taizen, 1627; Kokan Kanji Biko, 1830; Kozan Oshigata, 1709; Koto Mei Shuroku, 1838; Koto Meikan Kiko Kosei, 1830; Kokan Kaji Meisatsu Miida, 1856; Toko Soran, 1918, so he was a smith of some importance.
NTHK Kanteisho
Mitsuzane Saku 70 Points Eisho
11811822