説明
Antique Japanese Sword Wakizashi Signed by the first-gen Masatoshi with NBTHK
Tokubestsu
Hozon
Certificate
【Description】
This blade was signed by Etchu no Kami Fujiwara Masatoshi (越中守藤原正俊) . He is also known as the first-gen Masatoshi, who was the fourth son of Seki Kanemichi(関兼道). He received an honorable official title of Etchu no Kami in the second year of the Keicho era (1597). He was especially active during 1600-1624. The maker’s name, Masatoshi, lasted a few generations and it was appraised the one made by the first generation in its NBTHK’s authentication paper.
Seki Kanemichi was originally from Mino province, exclusively forging blades for Shingen Takeda, a famous feudal lord. In 1593, he moved to Kyoto in 1593 by bringing his four sons, Iga no Kami Kinmichi(伊賀守金道)、Izumi no Kami Rai Kinmichi(和泉守来金道), Tanba no Kami Yoshimichi(丹波守吉道) and
Echu no kami Masatoshi(越中守正俊)
. Seki Kanemichi established Mishina school in Kyoto, one of the most prestigious schools in the early Edo period.
The first-gen Etchu no Kami Masatoshi was known as Kyoto Gokaji(京都五鍛冶), five prestigious swordsmiths living in Kyoto in the early Edo period. It is said that the first-gen Masatoshi was the most skilled one among other brothers, and his craftsmanship was passed down to his son, the second-gen Masatoshi. The second-gen Masatoshi was allowed to inscribe a chrysanthemum emblem, which is the symbol of the Japanese emperor. His sword-forging technique was so great that the emperor licensed him to use this emblem, which was quite honorable for any swordsmiths.
Sunnobi Tanto (寸延び短刀)
In Japanese sword terminology, this blade is categorized as a Wakizashi because its cutting edge length is more than 30.3 cm long. However, it is much shorter than the average Wakizashi sword. And it is very close to the Tanto sword. This Tanto is widely called Sunnobi Tanto, a Wakizashi sword whose cutting edge is very close to the category of Tanto (Cutting edge less than 30 cm). And it must have been used as a Tanto back in the day.
This blade 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.
【Blade】
Cutting Edge Length(Nagasa)
:
30.9
cm ( 12.1
inches)
Curvature(Sori)
:
0
cm (0 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.
The motif of this Fuchi Kashira seems to be a combination of leaves and running water patterns. Although most of the coloring has faded due to aging, it seems golden paint was initially applied to water drops, and silvery paint was applied to the water lines.
Tsuka and Menuki
:
Tsuka is the handle of the Japanese sword and Menuki is its decoration.
You could see the figures of insects from the gaps of the Tsukamaki thread. Each Menuki is composed of two insects. Golden paint effectively enhances the decorativeness of this work.
We are still determining what type of insects are designed here. We assume they are crickets, dung beetles, or something else. However, we would say that we often find sword mountings with insect patterns. For example,