Papered Koto Yamato Den Katana 28.25 inches

Signature:  Mumei O-Suriage.  Attributed to Sue Nio School.
Year Made:  Muromachi Period
Forging Pattern: Mokume mixed with Masame
Tempering Pattern: Chu Suguha midare
Dimensions:  Blade Length:  28.25 inchesNakago: 8.25 inches 7.5 mm thick and 30.5 mm wide at Hamachi
Mountings: Shirasaya with Habaki.
Overall Condition:  Excellent, in recent polish and shirasaya.  A very healthy and well forged koto katana with abundant activity in the hada.  Some loose grain showing in areas.  Very well balanced and active in the hand and pleasantly healthy for a Muromachi katana with a very graceful shape.  The Nio school, part of the Yamato Tradition, was founded by KiyoZane in the Kamakura Period.  This school was active till the end of the Edo period.  This sword is a classic example of a Sue Nio School, which also resembles that of Sue-Mihara and Sue-Tegai blades.