Description
8/31/26 - This is an incredible, historically significant, signed Wakizashi, chiseled with the signature of legendary master swordsmith Sukemitsu. Forged during the mid-Muromachi period (roughly 1469 to 1487), dating the origin of this gleaming testament of human achievement to between 539-557 years ago. This weapon represents the refined Bizen Osafune school, from an era when samurai demanded blades of absolute reliability. Reflecting the transition toward custom ordered weapons used in close quarters combat, lineages of this caliber were commissioned by warriors who needed steel as sharp as their skill and as focused as their gaze in the face of death. The prestige of the Osafune lineage is documented in Matsuo Fujishiro's rating system, placing Sukemitsu among the uppermost respected fifteenth century makers. While the blade was forged in the fifteenth century, the mountings were likely compiled during the peaceful Edo period, when municipal law enforcement officials (dōshin) and police captains (yoriki) wore such sidearms as badges of authority.
The blade exhibits an elegant ridged shape (shinogi-zukuri) matched at the rear with a ridged back (iori-mune) showcasing a length (nagasa) of about 21.2-in (1 shaku 8 sun). The steel exhibits a densely packed fine grain (ko-itame) forging pattern under direct lighting, mixed with subtle burl features, brought to life with the scattered sparkling of surface crystals (ji-nie). The temper line (hamon) conveys the quiet brilliance and endless patience of a unyeilding craftsman, who refused to settle for anything short of perfection. The top portion of the blade brings together the perfectly intact small curve (ko-maru) with the point temper line (bōshi). Aesthetically, the blade is utterly magnificent. The only wear to note after over half a millennium in existence consists of very faint horizontal scratches, polishing scuffs across the side flats (shinogi-ji), and some hints of minor freckles and tarnish alongside the spine. The unaltered ubu nakago (tang) terminates in a rounded heel (kurijiri), showing a beautifully developed dark rust patina, carrying the two character Sukemitsu signature and two peg holes (double-mekugi) in perfect, unaltered hilt alignment. The koshirae fittings show moderate age. The stippled black stone textured scabbard (saya) displays stipple flattening in the grip area and minor scuffs at the tip, while the brown silk hilt wrapping (tsuka-ito) displays minor fiber fraying and handling discoloration. There is a slight gap causing play and a touch of physical looseness between the silver blade collar (nijū-habaki) and the blackened iron handguard (tsuba), which also shows mild tarnish and a hint of surface oxidation. This is likely a natural wear feature, attributable to hilt core shrinkage over centuries. Secured by Fukuoka Prefecture registration card 101201, this historic masterpiece is verified by NBTHK Hozon-Kanteisho (preservation certificate) issued on August 26, 2019. These prestigous documents will go with the sword as it continues on its journey though the far reaches of time, while we are lucky to share a moment.
