* Image is for illustrative purposes only.Katana, Unsigned, Attributed to Norifusa (Kyushu National Museum)
刀 無銘則房（九州国立博物館蔵）
Also known as: Mumei Norifusa; Norifusa Blade Transmitted Through the Tokugawa Shogunal House
Description
Overview
The National Treasure katana "Unsigned, attributed to Norifusa," held by the Kyushu National Museum, is a large-shortened (ō-suriage) blade with no signature, judged on stylistic grounds to be the work of Norifusa, a leading smith of the Bizen Ichimonji school. A separately signed National Treasure by Norifusa, "Tachi Signed Norifusa" (Katayama Ichimonji Norifusa), is held at the Fukuyama Museum of Art in Hiroshima; this Kyushu blade has an independent provenance.
Designation
Although unsigned due to ō-suriage shortening, the blade was judged to be Norifusa's work based on the quality of its steel and temper line, and it holds National Treasure status.
Style
The hamon is a showy chōji-midare typical of the Ichimonji school, with a bō-hi groove cut into the shinogi-ji. The blade has a chū-kissaki and a relatively deep curvature.
Provenance
The double gold habaki is carved with an openwork mitsuba-aoi (triple hollyhock) crest, indicating a provenance connected to the Tokugawa shogunal house.
Current Location
The blade is now part of the Kyushu National Museum's collection and is displayed there.
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