Osafune Tomomitsu

Osafune Tomomitsu was a swordsmith active in Osafune, Bizen Province, during the Nanbokuchō period. He descended from the lineage of the major Osafune school masters Osafune Kagemitsu and Kanemitsu, and was one of the capable smiths who sustained the standard of Bizen blades. His works are characterized by the long, imposing forms and finely textured jigane typical of the Nanbokuchō period, and many of his long works are today ō-suriage. The jigane is itame mixed with mokume, with chikei, and bō-utsuri stands out near the edge. The hamon is mostly nioi-deki, with many works featuring kataochi-gunome and large irregular patterns, embodying the typical forging beauty of the Osafune school. His signature is often "Bishū Osafune Tomomitsu" cut with a date, and ōdachi, tachi, and tantō are known. The ōdachi at Nikkō Futarasan Shrine (inscribed Jōji 5 (1366)) is designated a National Treasure, and the tantō at Erin-ji Temple (inscribed Ōan 2 (1369)) is designated an Important Cultural Property. He is placed in the history of Japanese swords as one of the smiths who carried the flourishing period of the Osafune school.