日本刀 刀 無銘（氏貞）特別貴重刀剣鑑定書付

附属品

NBTHK Tokubetsu Kicho Certificate , Koshirae Case (Decorative Sword Mountings), Shirasaya Case (Plain Wooden Case), Traditional Sword Carrying Bags, Sword Maintenance Kit, Full Exportation Support

Category

Katana (KOTO)

Age

Estimated Late Muromachi Period (1570-1593)

Location

Mino (Today’s Gifu prefecture)⇒ Owari (Aichi prefecture)

登録証

Niigata 1743

販売店の記載のまま

Summary This blade is attributed to Ujisada (氏貞). Ujisada is also known as Izumo no Kami Ujisada (出雲守氏貞). He was active during the late Muromachi period (1570-1593: Genki-Tensho era). According to available records, Ujisada received an honorable official title of Izumo no Kami after the fifth year of the Tensho era (1577) from the imperial court for his excellent craftsmanship. He originally signed Kanesada (兼貞) as his maker’s name and changed it to Ujisada. He was a student of the first-gen Ujifusa and an older brother of Wakasano Kami Ujifusa, who served Oda Nobunaga, one of the most famous Samurai in Japanese history. Ujisada initially forged swords in Mino province (today’s Gifu prefecture) but moved to Owari province (尾張: today’s Aichi prefecture) later in his life. His younger brother, Wakasano no Kami Ujifusa, also moved to Owari province (尾張) from Mino. Anecdote about Ujisada There is an interesting anecdote about Ujisada related to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, one of the three unifiers of Japan during the Sengoku period. When Hideyoshi wasn’t promoted to the high position yet, Kobayashi, one of his peers in the army, owned a great sword signed by Ujisada. Hideyoshi got very fond of the sword and asked Kobayashi if he could buy the sword. However, Kobayashi wouldn’t let it go. After Hideyoshi climbed the social ladder and became the head of 11 provinces, he asked Kobayashi again. He even offered a whole Ise province ( it was called Ise Koku (Country) back then) in exchange for the sword. But, Kobayashi declined Hideyoshi’s offer. This story became famous, and Ujisada became known as Ikkoku Ujisada. Ikkoku means a whole country (province in the old definition). This anecdote indicates that one sword made by Ujisada is worth more than one entire province. Mino Province The MINO swordsmiths style, also known as MINO-DEN, basically has the TOGARI(Pointed shapes protruding from the Hamon )in a classic straight line and random temper line with some white Utsuri. MINO-DEN had its origin from YAMATO-DEN in the late KAMAKURA period(1280-1330). It flourished in the MUROMACHI period(1333-1573) and continued until the EDO period(was1603-1868). Due to the high demand for weapons, MINO-DEN exceedingly prospered during Sengoku Jidai(Warring State period). And the location of Mino province beat others. Akechi Mitsuhide controlled Mino province, Nobunaga Oda ruled Owari province, and Tokugawa Ieyasu was the lord of Suruga (Neighboring areas). There was high demand from those powerful feudal lords and their retainers. Furthermore, many wars occurred between the Kanto region and the Kyoto area. Many feudal lords demanded swords forged in the Mino province. Mino is located in the middle, making feudal lords feel convenient to order swords from MINO-DEN. The blades forged in MINO provinces also had the reputation of their practical design and sharpness. Tachi Koshirae This blade is stored in Tachi(太刀) Koshirae. Tachi was mainly used by an armored Samurai with one hand on horseback from the Heian period (794-1185 A.D.) until the early Muromachi period. TACHI was suspended loosely on the left waist with its edge facing the ground so that you could draw it faster to cut down soldiers on the ground. Because of its gorgeous looking, having a Tachi-style sword mounting became a social status among Samurai. *Please keep in mind that there are some visible Kizu on this blade. If you like to see more detailed images, please feel free to contact us. We will be happy to take additional photos and videos. Fuchi-Kashira The Kabutogane (冑金/兜金) is a metal fitting that is attached to the end of a handle. And a Sarute/Sarude (猿手) is attached to this Kabutogane. The user of a sword passed the Udenukio (腕貫緒, a cord wrapped around the wrist to prevent a sword from falling out of the hand, mainly used when riding a horse) through this ring. In addition, the Fuchi Kanamono (縁金物) is also a metal fitting attached to the handle, but on the opposite side of Kabutogane. Other metal fittings of this Koshirae have the same design such as Kuchi Kanamono (口金物, a metal fitting that is attached to the tip of the scabbard close to Tsuba), Seme Kanamono (責金物, a ring-shaped metal fitting placed in the middle of the scabbard to prevent the sheath from cracking), Ashi Kanamono (足金物, metal fittings attached to the positions where Sageo cord is wrapped), and Ishiduki Kanamono (石突金物, a metal fitting that is attached to the end of the scabbard). These metal parts are made of silvery metal, and chrysanthemum patterns are designed in the same style. Tsuka and Menuki A family crest is designed on this Menuki. Golden paint is applied to each Menuki, and its bright color remains in good condition. We believe it is the Takeda Bishi (武田菱) pattern, which is the family crest of the Takeda (武田) clan. Branch families of the Takeda family used the Hishi (菱) pattern for their family crests; however, they had considered the head of the Takeda family. So, they changed the Hishi pattern. This Sankai Bishi pattern might have been one of these examples. We are unsure whether one of the former owners of this sword was related to the Takeda family. Please note that it is just a possibility. Tsuba and Habaki This Tsuba has a simplified Tachi Goshirae Tsuba (太刀拵鐔) style. The difference between Tachi Tsuba (太刀鐔) and Katana Tsuba (刀鐔) is that the top and bottom positions of the Nakago hole (茎櫃, center hole) are reversed. The Tsuba of this Koshirae has Aoi (葵) Tsuba shape. If you focus on four corners, you will find a heart mark-shaped hole is engraved on each edge. It is called the Inome (猪の目) pattern. The Inome pattern has been used since ancient times. As its name implies, the boar’s eyes are the origin of this pattern. Some people believed the Inome design would work as an amulet to protect them from evil spirits or fire. Also, it is said it would bring good luck. About the design, this Tsuba is decorated with chrysanthemums, the same as the Fuchi Kashira we mentioned earlier. A long time ago, chrysanthemums were used as a medicine for obtaining a long life in the continent, and it was brought to Japan with this thought in the Nara period (648-781). The chrysanthemum symbolizes autumn, and people have greatly appreciated it since ancient times. This flower has been likened to the sun as its petals form radially. That is why chrysanthemum designs are treated as the symbol of perpetual youth and longevity or good health. Authentication Paper They authenticated the blade on June 7th in the 45th year of Showa (1970). They appraised it as a Tokubetsu Kiho Touken, an old form of the certificate. The purchaser will receive the original certificate as well.