Long Sword (Tachi)

Nagamitsu (active early 14th century) was the founder of the Bizen Osafune School and is said to have been the son of Mitsutada (active late 13th century). Many examples of his work remain and represent a wide variety of blades. This long sword (J., tachi) blade clearly displays characteristics of the early Osafune School, including the following features: the blade is relatively wide; deeply curved around the mid-point; the small wood-grain surface texture is combined with a relatively white, reflective, cloudy effect (J., midare utsuri); and a flamboyant temper line that alternately combines clove shapes (J., chôji midare) with tadpole-shaped cloves (J., kawazuko chôji).

— Museum description: Kyoto National Museum (CC BY 4.0), via ColBase / Japan Search.