Pair of Japanese Swords with Matching Koshirae Including: Katana and Late Muromachi-Period Wakizashi Attributed to "Katsumitsu"

1.) Katana - 25.75" nagasa. 39.5" overall. Curved shinogi-zukuri blade with an unsigned two hole nakago. Blade features itame hada, sugu hamon, chu kissaki, and ihori mune. Koshirae does not fit correctly as nakago appears to be slightly too wide for tsuka, making it very difficult to remove.

2.) Wakizashi - 17.25" nagasa. 27.5" overall. Slightly curved shinogi-zukuri blade with single hole nakago and two character mei that appears to be signed "Katsumitsu". Blade has itame hada, midare-yahazu hamon, chu kissaki, and ihori mune.

The name "Katsumitsu" belonged to a family of swordsmiths from the Bizen (Osafune) school, active 1392-1594 during the late Muromachi Period. It is believed that there were nine Katsumitsu swordsmiths active during these years. The most renowned swordsmith of this family was known to sign his blades, Bishu Osafune Katsumitsu (believed to have been most active 1478-1484), and they are highly sought after.

Both blades were mounted in matching koshirae at some point. Koshirae features a black lacquered saya with single kurikata. Tsubas are shakudo with chiseled floral motifs accented with gold foil, and German silver seppas. Tsukas feature brown ito, white same, as well as matching shakudo menuki, fuchi, and kashira. Tsubas and fuchi are both marked with three character mei.

This lot is located in Cincinnati.