-, 30th Session — Designated November 23, 1983
, : Naotsugu (直次)
Measurements 27.0 cm, almost none, 2.55 cm, 8.8 cm, 0.2 cm
Description Keijō: , ; wide with a slightly tendency; somewhat thin; (no curvature). : Tight mixed with ō-hada and ; fine ; a faint (irregular ) appears. : with a shallow tendency; small and , with ; with slight ; the is tight and clear. : With a slight tendency; , with a somewhat pointed feeling, turning back deeply. : : ; : and . : (the slightly pinched); a shallow tendency ; are ; two . On the there is a long, two-line signature together with the Kenmu 2 date; on the are the five characters “Namu Kanzeon” (南無観世音).
Artisan Naotsugu (直次), school of Bicchū province
Era Dated Kenmu 2 (1335), 8th month, 18th day
Explanation This is a dated Kenmu 2 by Naotsugu, a representative smith of the school active from the very end of the period into the opening of the period.
Although it is large in scale and, at first glance, suggests an Enbun–Jōji-type silhouette, the fact that it is without curvature indicates that it does not go so far, and one can discern characteristics typical of forms around the Kenmu era.
The forging shows well-packed with admixture of , and the is a tight- containing and . Both the and are clear, making this not only an especially distinguished work by Naotsugu, but also a piece that fully demonstrates the stylistic character of this school in the period.
