This intriguing Katana takes us back to the later Muromachi (Eisho-Tensho) era,

This intriguing Katana takes us back to the later Muromachi (Eisho-Tensho) era, steeped in the artistry of traditional Japanese sword-making. With a kin zogan mei attributing the blade to Masayuki 正行, it comes with an NBTHK Tokubetsu Kicho kantei-sho dated October 8, 1967, further validating its provenance. Intriguingly, an inscription on the blade reads: "信国義昌揚" ("shortened by Nobukuni Yoshimasa"), indicating a possible modification to the blade's original length. The nagasa of the blade measures 67.4 cm, with a sori (curve) of 1.4 cm. Its sugata (body) displays a shinogi-zukuri, iori-mune design with an average mi-haba (width) that tapers elegantly to the tip. The kasane (thickness) is also of average thickness, and the kissaki (tip) is of medium length. The slight shallowness of the sori and the typical katate-uchi shape add to its distinctiveness. Examining the jihada, the blade exhibits a ko-itame mixed with masame. The presence of fine ji-nie testifies to the blade's quality, and its steel has been tightly forged. Kitae-ware can be spotted in the bo-hi, adding a characterful touch. The hamon presents a classic chu-sugu-ha with a bright ha-buchi lined in ko-nie, while the boshi manifests as ko-maru with a lengthy return. The nakago appears machi-okuri with four mekugi-ana, one filled with copper. Adding an intriguing element, a shinobi-ana is present at the end of the nakago. The blade also features bo-hi horimono. Despite initial attribution to Masayuki from Bizen, this katana is likely the work of the Bingo Masayuki group of the Mihara school from the Eisho to Tensho period. This deduction is due to the absence of the typical traits of Nanbokucho-era Bizen blades in this piece, such as great length, wide mi-haba, extended kissaki, and Soshu-Den influences in the hada and hamon. Meanwhile, the Meikan lists several smiths from the Mihara school in Bingo using the Masayuki mei in the later Muromachi period. Blades from this period are often referred to as "katate-uchi" or "one-handed swords" and exhibit several features present in this blade. These features include its length, relative slenderness, light weight, shallow sori, medium kissaki, and the presence of a shinobi-ana. The blade's shape and features, along with the hada and the sugu-ha hamon, are typical of late Muromachi Mihara school work. The inscription, "shortened by Nobukuni Yoshimasa," is also consistent with an apparent machi-okuri shortening. This katana is paired with an elegant buke-zukuri koshirae. It features a vermilion lacquered saya, a square-shaped, shakudo sukashi tsuba with temple window-shaped piercing and a silver fukurin. The koshirae is made of tsuno paired with a fuchi crafted in shakudo, adorned with a wave design in kin zogan. The menuki are crabs in shakudo, adding a unique artistic touch. The habaki is a one-piece design with a copper base covered in silver foil. This katana embodies the rich history of Japanese sword-making, drawing on the traditions of the later Muromachi era and the craftsmanship of the Mihara school. Its fine construction and elegant koshirae make it a valuable piece for any collector or admirer of Japanese art and culture.