説明
Antique Japanese Sword Katana Signed by Fujiwara Yoshitake with
Tokubetsu Hozon
Certificate
【Description】
This blade was signed by Izumo Daijyo Fujiwara Yoshitake (出雲大掾藤原吉武). The sword maker’s name Yoshitake lasted three generations, according to available records. This blade was forged by the first generation, who was active during the early Edo period (
1658-1681
).
Yoshitake was the son of Horikawa Kunitake, a descendant of Sanjyo Yoshinori, who was one of the most renowned swordsmiths during the Azuchi Momoyama period. His father and Yoshitake learned sword-forging techniques from Horikawa Kunimichi (堀河国路).
Yoshitake belonged to Horikawa school and initially resided in Yamashiro province (today’s Kyoto area). Later on, he moved to Edo city and received an honorable official title of Izumo Daijyo from the emperor. He was promoted to Izumi no Kami later in his career. After he moved to Edo city, he interacted with the swordsmiths who belonged to Hojyoji school, a prestigious school in Edo city, during the early Edo period.
It is appraised as a
Tokubetsu Hozon Token
(特別保存刀剣) issued by NBTHK (Nihon Bijutsu Touken Hozon Kyokai:日本美術刀剣保存協会). This authentication paper was only given to authentic Japanese swords, especially well preserved and high quality with artistic value.
*Please keep in mind that there are a couple of Kitae Kizu on the blade. If you like to know the detailed condition, please feel free to contact us.
【Blade】
Cutting Edge Length(Nagasa)
:
69.2 cm (27.2 inches)
Curvature(Sori)
:
0.8
cm (0.314 inches)
Hamon
:
The crystalline structure which forms along the cutting edge of a blade as a result of the hardening process
Jimon(Jihada)
:
visible steel surface pattern created by folding and hammering during forging process
Kissaki
:
Kissaki is the tip of the Japanese sword.
Nakago
:
Nakago is the tang of the Japanese sword.
Japanese swordsmiths left the black rust on the tang because it prevents red rust while the tang is in its handle. And the discoloration of the tang was created over time, and it is a great indicator for a Japanese sword specialist to estimate when the sword was forged.
Koshirae
:
Koshirae is the mounting of the Japanese sword. There are several parts that consist of Koshirae such as Saya (Scabbard), Tsuka (Handle), Tsuba (Handguard).
Fuchi-Kashira
:
A pair of matching sword fittings that cover the upper and bottom parts of its sword hilt.
Tsuka and Menuki
:
Tsuka is the handle of the Japanese sword and Menuki is its decoration.
This Menuki features an design of w hawk feather. Hawk is an intelligent bird used for hunting, called falconry. It was famous as a recreation among high-class Samurais. In the old days, it was also familiar with emperors and royal families, so it might be why the hawk was regarded as a symbol of the ruler’s authority. During the warring period, the boy’s success was to become an excellent Samurai; therefore, it has been thought that men (Samurai) and the hawk had a deep connection as a symbol of advancement and authority. Many Samurais loved this design based on that reason.
Furthermore, its wings were used for one of Samurai’s primary weapons; an arrow (They put hawk’s wings as arrow’s feather). The arrow itself is reminiscent of victory or defeat, battlefield; it is not difficult to imagine that Samurais also liked the hawk wings attracted to arrows. Still today, various family crests use this bird wing’s motif.
Tsuba and Habaki
:
Tsuba is the handguard for the Japanese Sword and Habaki is the equipment to make the blade not touch its scabbard inside. It prevents the blade from getting rusty and chipped.
It has the shape of Yotsu-Mokkou (四ツ木瓜). Its origin is the shape of eggs in a nest. When a quince (it is written 木瓜 in Japanese) is cut into round slices, its cross-section looks similar to this shape; therefore, it was named Mokkougata Tsuba (木瓜形鐔). Yotsu-Mokkougata (四ツ木瓜形, a combination of four Mokkou shapes) Tsuba is often seen, same as this Tsuba.
As for the design, t