説明

Antique Japanese Sword Tanto Signed by Munechika with NBTHK Hozon Certificate 【Description】 This blade was signed by Sanjo Kokaji Munechika (三條小鍛冶宗近) in the 2nd year of the Koka era (1845: the late Edo period). Sanjo Kokaji Munechika is a famous swordsmith name, whose history dates back to the Heian period, about 1000 years ago. We believe the swordsmith of this blade is the late-gen Munechika. The first gen Munechika, who lived in Sanjo area (Today’s Kyoto prefecture) in the Heian period, wasn’t a swordsmith at first because he was a court noble and started sword-forging as his hobby in his free time. However, his sword-forging technique was so outstanding that he became a prominent swordsmith, with receiving the noble name Sanjo Kokaji Munechika (三條小鍛冶宗近) later. Finally, at the command of the Emperor Ichijo (980-1011), he forged the noted sword the “Kogitsune-maru (小狐丸).” In addition, it is said that Munechika is the founder of YAMASHIRO-DEN. Yamashiro Den Yamashiro province was famous for its sword-making style called YAMASHIRO-DEN. YAMASHIRO-DEN’s origin dates back to the Heian period (794 A.D) when the capital city was moved from Nara to Kyoto. The swordsmiths in Yamashiro province initially prospered by forging swords for court nobles and imperial families. Later on, they also forged swords for feudal lords after Samurai military government took control of Japan. There are so many renowned swordsmiths from this region. Also, there are four prestigious main branches in this region. They are Sanjo, Rai, Nobukuni, and Awataguchi. One of the characteristics of YAMASHIRO-DEN is its elegant design and beautiful Jigane (steel surface pattern). This blade represents a great trait of YAMASHIRO-DEN. Judging from the fact that the late gen Munechika was also given the attribution of the former gen Munechika, the founder of YAMASHIRO DEN as mentioned above, his craftsmanship must also have been excellent. This blade is appraised as a Hozon Touken (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, well preserved and high quality with artistic value. 【Blade】 Cutting Edge Length (Nagasa) : 25.0 cm (9.84 inches) Curvature (Sori) : 0.3 cm (0.11 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). The surface of this Koshirae is mainly decorated with the Ishime-Ji (石目地). Its base was hit by Tagane (鏨, chisel for metalworking), and it makes a rough surface that seems stone. Fuchi-Kashira : A pair of matching sword fittings that cover the upper and bottom parts of its sword hilt. Tsuka : Tsuka is the handle of the Japanese sword. Habaki : Habaki is the equipment to make the blade not touch its scabbard inside. It prevents the blade from getting rusty and chipped. Saya : Saya is the scabbard for the Japanese sword. Authentication Paper : NBTHK Hozon Certificate for the blade (No.3003996) NBTHK , also known as Nihon Bijutsu Touken Hozon Kyokai (the Society for the Preservation of the Japan Art Sword), is one of the oldest Japanese sword appraising organizations in modern-day Japan. They authenticated the blade on Aug 15th in the 25th year of Heisei (2013). They appraised it as Hozon Touken, the blade worth preserving for Japanese society. The purchas