A healthy hon-zukuri Mino katana on consignment is signed and papered. Niji-mei reads "Nagahiro" with original takanoha yasuri visible on the omote, 3-holes, slightly shortened to a more standard katana length of over 26 1/2 inches. There are attractive niju-hi(twin grooves) carved on both shinogi with shaped ends; broad saki-zori tending towards torii-zori due to shortening, with an extended medium point. Shiny dark steel of flowing itame mixed with masame and a sanbon-sugi style hamon of pointed gunome mainly composed of nioi but with small activities such as sunagashi indicates a textbook Mino workmanship from the embattled Muromachi Period noted for tough, sharp swords. Nagahiro worked in Mino Akasaka around thHhe early 1500's and is rated ryowazamono for very good cutting ability. This healthy zaimei sword is in polish and ready to enjoy; in shirasaya with double gold foil habaki and NBTHK Hozon Kanteisho dated Heisei 14. |
