User blog comment:Xilinoc/Ch. 542 - THE BLADE IS ME/@comment-5847836-20130619182602/@comment-6342763-20130619193229

I think it's shikai, cause Asauchi is a zanpakto that hasn't yet "associated" with the owner's soul. It doesn't have a name or anything, could be anyone's. So I'm pretty sure it's shikai.