805kat1

Stout Mumei Katana with much Activity

Signature: Mumei, .
Year Made: Shin-shinto-Showa
Forging Pattern: Itame with much activity in the ji.
Tempering Pattern: Suguha based midare
Dimensions: Blade Length: 25.75 inches Nakago: 6.5 inches 6 mm thick and 31 mm wide at Hamachi
Mountings: Sirasaya in very good condition except ivory insert for mekugi missing on one side. Nice "rain" pattern silver washed copper habaki with some of the silver worn off.
Overall Condition: Good, some spider rust, minor pitting and ware. A very hefty sword. ko-suguha midare hamon with much activity in nie. Has sunagashi, ji nie, inazuma and much chikei in the ji. Hada is very prominent and sword can be enjoyed as is but a polish would really bring out the activities in this sword. There is evidence of a stamp possibly being removed from the nakago. I have provided an arrow indicating the spot and a close up photo so that you can make up your own mind. The sword is obviously hand made and it would be difficult in the extreme to get such activities without the use of traditional materials. It is possible it had an arsenal stamp (many gendaito do) and was being sent to Japan for shinsa where sometimes genuine swords are refused access into the country do to the presence of a stamp. In any case there is much to enjoy in this blade and the small active hamon reminds one of the early Koto swords.

Item: 805kat