Katana Made by SUKESADA 祐定
Description
Mei : Bishu_Osafune_SUKESADA
(Back) : A day in the 8th month of Daiei 2 (August 1522)
Material : Tamahagane
Jihada (Jigane): Itame-hada
Temper patterns (Hamon) : Gunome-midare and Sunagashi
Era : Late Muromachi Period
Country(Kuni) : Bizen Province (Okayama)
Paper(Status) : [N.B.T.H.K] Tokubetsu Hozon Token(Feb 21, 2025)
[Size]
Blade Length(Cutting edge) : 60.7cm
Curve(SORI) : 1.8cm
Width at the hamachi(Moto-Haba) : 2.8cm
Wide at the Kissaki(Saki-Haba) : 1.9cm
Thickness at the Moto-Kasane : 0.8cm
Weight (Sword Only) : 543g
Rivet Holes(Mekugiana): 2
Length of Koshirae : about 90cm
[Additional Information]
A Fine Katana by Bizen Osafune Sukesada – A Master of the Late Muromachi Period
Sukesada of Bizen Osafune is one of the most prominent names among the Sue-Bizen smiths of the late Muromachi period, alongside Katsumitsu and Kiyomitsu. These smiths are often collectively referred to as "Sue-Bizen" or "Eishō-Bizen", representing the golden age of Bizen sword-making during the Eishō and Daiei eras (1504–1528).
The Osafune Sukesada lineage is renowned for producing several legendary smiths bearing prestigious titles such as Hikobei-jō, Yosōzaemon-jō, and Genbei-jō. Their blades, forged with outstanding skill and artistic sensibility, were highly prized by warlords of the Sengoku period for their elegant appearance, superior cutting ability, and excellent handling.
This particular piece dates from the Daiei era and is an excellent example of a one-handed uchigatana, crafted for swift draw and cutting in battlefield conditions. The shinogi is tall and crisp, with the shinogiji tapering boldly toward the mune, reflecting the robust and practical shaping typical of the period.
The jigane is a rich itame (wood grain) forged with both hard and soft steel, displaying prominent nie-utsuri (martensite reflections). The hamon is a vibrant complex gunome pattern with active ko-nie, giving the blade an energetic and lively appearance.
Despite being over 500 years old, the sword remains in an excellent state of preservation, with both jigane and hamon exhibiting remarkable vitality. It is a superb example of Sukesada’s craftsmanship and a textbook piece showcasing the excellence of late Muromachi Bizen work.