BIZEN MAGOURMON KIYOMITSU

Bizen Magouemon Kiyomitsu, c. 1558 was a Sue-Koto smith who work in the late Muromachi era. According to the literature, Magouemon Kiyomitsu is a representative smith of this period. He and Gorouzamon Kiyomitsu were the two best smiths within the Sue-Bizen group.

Magouemon excelled in forging suguha but worked in other styles as well. His blades were known for their superior cutting ability, for which his works are documented and rated O-wazamono according to Yamada Asuemon Yoshichika’s, Kokin Kaji Bikosen. 

Magouemon is rated Josaku by Fujishiro for quality.  It is well known any smith listed in Fujishiro’s is far above average in quality.

One hundred years of the Muromachi period (1392-1596) fell within the Sengoku Jidai or warring period of 1467-1615. During this time of war, many swords were required by the various regimes resulting in their mass production.  These mass-produced swords are known as Kazuuchi-mono which literally means “made in large numbers”.  They were also referred to as tabagatana or “bundle swords”.

Chumon-uchi, a term developed to distinguish between the mass produced kazuuchi-mono and the higher quality swords. Chumon-uchi literally meaning the opposite of kazuuchi-mono or, “made to order” opposed to mass produced.

Chumon-uchi were signed using the smiths common or first name such as Magouemon.  This type of mei is known as Zokumyo or Zokumyo-iri, a term indicating the mei contains the first name of the smith and is Chumon-uchi.

This Tanto is in excellent polish and exhibits beautiful utsuri.

Gorgeous Tanto made by one of the two best Bizen smiths of the period.

It is signed Zokumyo-iri and is Chumon-uchi.

The sword is housed in shirasaya. 

Price:  $4250 plus S/H

REDUCED:  $3250 plus S/H