Wakizashi Signed Bizen Osafune Morimitsu - GINZA SEIKODO JAPANESE ART, SWORDS, & TSUBA SINCE MEIJI PERIOD

PRODUCT Wakizashi Signed Bizen Osafune Morimitsu
February in the 18th year of Oei (1411)
Accompanied by a black lacquer kizamisaya koshirae

Tokubetsu Hozon: Wakizashi Signed Bizen Osafune Morimitsu
February in the 18th year of Oei (1411)
Accompanied by a black lacquer kizamisaya koshirae

Wakizashi Signed Bizen Osafune Morimitsu February in the 18th year of Oei (1411) Accompanied by a black lacquer kizamisaya koshirae *SOLD OUT: Tokubetsu Hozon

Together with Yasumitsu, Morimitsu defined the “Oei Bizen” smiths of the early Muromachi period. At first glance, the style is reminiscent of the Ichimonji School in the Kamakura period. However, Oei Bizen is commonly characterized by a slightly pronounced itame and mokume grain with a degree of chikei, a broad midare hamon, a boshi which protrudes at the point (candle style), and a straight utsuri. There are also examples with a quiet straight suguha hamon.
This piece features a slightly pronounced itame and mokume grain, small jinie, and a broad gunome hamone with choji, togari, deiri, ashi, yo, nioi, and small nie. The sayagaki by Homma-sensei notes that this is a well-executed and typical piece by Morimitsu, with a bright and clear nioiguchi.
The accompanying koshirae which likely dates from the late Edo period is adorned with the tomoe crest, and includes a remarkable dragon kozuka which adds to the dignified appeal.