日本刀 脇差 銘 備州長船則光 日本美術刀剣保存協会 特別保存刀剣鑑定書付

附属品

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate, Shirasaya Case (Plain Wooden Case), Koshirae Mounting, Traditional Sword Carrying Case, Sword Maintenance Kit, Full Exportation Support

Category

Wakizashi ( KOTO)

Age

7th year of the Bunmei era (1475)

Location

Bizen province(today’s Okayama prefecture)

登録証

Tokyo 329111

販売店の記載のまま

This blade was signed by Bishu Osafune Norimitsu (備州長船則光) in the 7th year of the Bunmei era (1475: Late Muromachi period). Bishu（備州）is a larger area in today’s Okayama＆Hiroshima prefecture. Bishu consists of Bizen(備前), Bitchu（備中）, and Bingo (備後). Osafune is the name of the prestigious school located in Bizen province. The maker’s name , Norimitsu, lasted more than 10 generations (Late Kamakura- The end of Muromachi period). Based on the year this blade was forged and the active period of other generations, it was signed by the 6th-gen Norimitsu, also known as Bishu Osafune Goro Zaemon no Jo Norimitsu. He is one of the most famous Norimitsu. The swordsmiths in Bizen produced many swords during the Muromachi period, as it was in the middle of the Sengoku period(Warring State period). The demand for weapons increased among strong feudal lords. It would be nice to have a piece forged in the warring state period when there was so much rivalry between warlords. It was possible that this blade was ordered by a Samurai and he might have carried it in a battlefield. The History of Bizen Osafune School It is said that Osafune school was founded by Mitsutada (光忠), who was active during the mid-Kamakura period. Bizen Osafune school was the biggest one of all other schools in Bizen province, and they received many orders from feudal lords or renowned Samurai. They were called Osafunemono and beloved by Samurai warriors. Among the swordsmiths who belonged to this school, Nagamitsu, Sanenaga, and Kagemitsu are known as Osafune Sansaku, the three renowned Osafune swordsmiths. There are also four other prominent swordsmiths who were from Bizen Osafune school. They are called Osafune Shiten-no, the four masters of Osafune school. Their names are Nagamitsu, Kanemitsu, Nagayoshi, and Motoshige. BIZEN is located near the Chugoku Mountains, where iron sands, one of the essential materials for making Japanese swords, were abundant. Furthermore, BIZEN swordsmiths had close access to Yoshi River, where they could find water and charcoal. This geological location contributed to the swordsmiths forging high-quality refined blades. We presume BIZEN was quite active in sword-forging from ancient times. It is said that BIZEN DEN was created by groups of swordsmiths there during the late Heian era (Late 12th century ). These ancient swordsmiths in Bizen province are called Ko-Bizen (Old Bizen) swordsmiths. By inheriting the sword forging techniques from Ko-Bizen swordsmiths, the Bizen Osafune school flourished from the mid-Kamakura 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). Kissaki You can see interesting Kissaki (tip of the blade) called Shobu Zukuri (菖蒲造り) on this Katana blade. There is no Yokote on this blade. Yokote is the borderline between the tip and cutting edge. We are confident you will appreciate the elegant look of this blade. Fuchi-Kashira This fuchi-kashira (hilt collar and pommel) features the image of a carp (鯉, koi). According to an old Chinese legend, many fish attempted to swim upstream and leap over a waterfall called the Dragon Gate (Ryumon) on the Yellow River. In the end, only the koi succeeded, and it was transformed into a dragon that soared into the sky. This tale gave rise to the motif of “koi no taki-nobori” (a carp climbing a waterfall), which came to symbolize perseverance, success, and the achievement of great ambitions. The legend of the Dragon Gate carries the message that with effort, confidence, and determination, one can rise to greatness. In Japan, this motif has long been associated with prayers for children’s growth and success in life. Samurai families may have chosen this design in hopes that their sons would become distinguished warriors and rise through the ranks. Tsuka and Menuki One side of the menuki features a nasu (茄子, eggplant) and its leaves. In Japanese culture, the eggplant is regarded as a symbol of good fortune and success. A traditional expression—”Ichi-Fuji, Ni-Taka, San-Nasubi” (“First Mt. Fuji, second a hawk, third an eggplant”)—refers to the three auspicious things to see in the first dream of the New Year. This phrase is associated with positive meanings: nasu also means “to accomplish” or “to achieve” in Japanese. For this reason, the eggplant has been widely used as a motif symbolizing wish fulfillment and personal success. The other side features a myōga (茗荷, Japanese ginger), a plant often used in traditional family crests. Myōga is believed to possess protective qualities, warding off evil and bringing spiritual clarity. It has long been associated with health and safe living in Japanese folklore. By incorporating this motif into sword fittings, the artisan may have wished for protection, wellbeing, or spiritual strength for the sword’s owner. Saya The scabbard features a traditional finish known as samegawa togidashi (鮫皮研ぎ出し), or polished ray skin. In this technique, ray skin is applied to the surface of the scabbard and then coated with lacquer. After the lacquer hardens, the surface is carefully polished to partially expose the natural texture and nodules of the ray skin beneath. This method not only highlights the unique pattern of the skin, but also enhances both the durability and aesthetic refinement of the scabbard. Authentication Paper They authenticated the blade on February 7th in the 13th year of Heisei (2001). They appraised it as Tokubetsu Hozon Touken, the blade especially worth preserving for Japanese society.