A GOOD SUEKOTO KATANA SIGNED BISHU JU OSAFUNE KIYOMITSU, CIRCA 1534 (TENMON 3), WITH NTHK-NPO

The Bizen Kiyomitsu group was a multigeneration group of smiths, and the date indicates it was Kiyomitsu Gorozaemonnojo; with NTHK-NPO papers confirming signature and date. Fujishiro rates the smith as Jojosaku, and this smith in particular as one of the better Kiyomitsu smiths. 73.2cm of shingi-zukuri form, with mokume hada of a fairly tight composition, mixed with itame. Utsuri is visible, but inconsistent and cloudy. Suguha hamon in nie deki, with a few gunome bumps, and a number of hataraki throughout, including nie saki and sunagashi. Fumbari is visible, indicating that the sword is ubu. Boshi is functionally ko maru on both sides, with a little bit more activity on omote. There is a strike on the mune approximately 9" back from tip that looks like a kirikomi. With a gold foil wrapped catscratch habaki, mokko gata tsuba of an almost chocolate texture, unsigned, with both hitsu-ana plugged. Saya with a textured finish and a painted dragon roaring towards the tsuba. Tsuka probably rewrapped. Menuki in the form of dragons. Fuchi depicting florals, kashira with a shishi dog. With NTHK-NPO Kanteisho and some additional research. CONDITION: Very good, in polish, with some minor ware; most noticeable some delamination about the hamachi. Mounts good, solid, with paint starting to lift, and a crack along ha. Dragon still clearly visible. Accompanied by a modern shirasaya and tsunagi. Blade Length: 28 - 7/8" Overall Length: 43" Paperwork: NTHK-NPO Papers