Wakizashi Mumei "Ko-Uda"


blade length 49.7cm,  curvature 1.3cm
 
The steel has large wood grain layer pattern, but the area near the cutting edge is more compact. The quality of the large patterned steel is a little rough, so it makes many appearances by tempering effect.






 
The hamon is gunome and choji pattern made of mild konie (small particles), and many appearances around hamon regarding with the large layer pattern are made of bright nie (large particles). They are  kinsuji, sunagashi, yubashiri, tobiyaki and so. So the whole appearance of temper effect is wild and attractive for eye.






 
The blade is very shortened as its signature disappeared. The reverse side of the tang shows the proper work of shortening, it may be around 16th century. But the obverse side has newer file works anyhow. Please study it carefully.


 
This blade has been handed down as "Masamune" who is the most famous smith in Japan. Most of Masamune blade is no signature, so we can't see the character of his blade clearly. Once we have seen very similar "Masamune" blade in a museum. It was no signature too.
 
Recently this blade was attributed to "Ko-Uda" by NBTHK. Ko-Uda means old Uda school in 14th century. The owner was disappointed with the result. Then he took off with the blade from his collection. "Any paper can't change the blade, but ... "
 
I wonder if this blade still has a possibility to be attributed to "Masamune" by NBTHK, with re-polishing by some polisher who is ranked to Mukansa by NBTHK or Living National Treasure.
 
Anyhow this is a very good blade in Soshu tradition in 14th century. Any paper can't change the blade.
 
The habaki is gold foiled.
 
 
The shirasaya and the NBTHK paper ranked to Hozon-Token.

  
Oshigata
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