日本刀 刀 銘 宗吉 NBTHK 特別保存刀剣鑑定書付

附属品

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

Category

Katana( SHINTO)

Age

Keichō (1596-1615: Late Azuchi Momoyama-early Edo period)

Location

Echizen province (Today’s Fukui prefecture)

登録証

Kagoshima 22989

販売店の記載のまま

This blade was forged by Etshu Tsuruga Ju Shimosa no kami Fujiwara Muneyoshi(越州敦賀住下総守藤原宗吉) during Keichō (1596-1615: Late Azuchi Momoyama-early Edo period), according to the NBTHK’s appraisal. Muneyoshi was active in sword-forging during 1596-1624. Esshū(越州), also known as Echizen(越前) is located in Hokuriku region, northwestern part of Japan. Tsuruga(敦賀) is the name of the city he lived in when forging this blade. Shimosa no Kami is the name of the title given to this swordsmith. It was common for Japanese swordsmiths to sign his signature with where he forged and their received titles. In this case, he signed as follows; Province name, city name, a given title, and his maker’s name. Echizen Province was famous for forging razor-sharp, practically designed swords. The Edo government, run by the Tokugawa clan, ordered many blades from the swordsmiths in this province during the Edo period(1603-1868). We assume Muneyoshi dedicated his career forging swords for Samurais, who served Echizen Matsudaira clan, a relative linage of Tokugawa family. The swords forged during Keicho era(1596-1615) are generally called Keicho Shinto. Osakajyo, Himeji castle, or other gorgeous-looking castles were constructed during this time. Many feudal lords preferred fancy-looking items instead of modest ones. This trend applied to Japanese sword making as well. 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. We presume this blade was owned by a high-ranked Samurai who was wealthy enough to own a blade forged by a famous swordsmith with the Tachi-style sword mounting. Please keep in mind that there are a couple of Kitae Kizu and partial black rust on this blade. This blade is appraised as Tokubetsu Hozon certificate issued by NBTHK. This authentication paper was only given to Japanese swords, especially worth preserving by Nihon Bijutsu Touken Hozon Kyokai(the Society for the Preservation of the Japan Art Sword). Curvature(Sori) For more detailed measurement of the blade/sword mounting Fuchi-Kashira Some kinds of plants are designed on the entire surface of this Fuchi Kashira. It is challenging to judge what types of plants they are. However, you could see that each small leaf’s veins are carefully carved. There are a variety of motifs that have been designed for sword mountings such as flowers, leaves. In designs that are made up mostly of leaves like this work, the Karakusa (唐草, arabesque) or autumn plant patterns are often seen. Many plants have been used as motifs. And in many cases, each of them has been regarded as a symbol of good luck, for example, longevity, the prosperity of descendants, vitality, good health, etcetera. In addition, the plant pattern looks elegant and gives a graceful impression for the appearance of the sword when applied to the sword’s outfit. It might be one of the reasons why these motifs have been preferred. Tsuka and Menuki This Menuki’s motif is a dragon. It seems these dragons have snake-liked elongated bodies covered with scales. Initially, the dragon is an imaginary creature found in ancient traditions or myths. Furthermore, it is a symbolic beast of auspicious signs. Its body is likened to nine animals: antlers are deer, the head is a camel, eyes are demons, the neck is a snake, belly is Mizuchi (蛟, mythical animal in Japan which looks like a snake and have a horn and four legs), scales are fish, claws are falcons, palms are tigers, and ears are cows. It was thought that the dragon would reign at the top of all animals because of its odd-looking appearance. Still today, this creature design maintains its meaning as the all-purpose auspicious pattern, and lots of people appreciate it. Tsuba and Habaki Aoi-Gata Tsuba. Aoi is a name of Japanese plant. One of the most famous Samurais, Tokugawa Ieyasu, who opened the government in Edo city (Today’s Tokyo) in 1603 A.D. after winning the battle of Sekigahara in 1600, used this plant motif for his family crest. If you focus on the corners of this Tsuba, you will find four heart marks. It is called the Inome (猪の目, boar’s eyes) pattern. This design has been being used since ancient times. Some people believed that the Inome design works as an amulet to protect them from evil spirits or fire. Also, it is said it would bring good luck. Today, this pattern is often found in traditional Japanese architectures such as shrines or temples and used Gegyo (懸魚, decoration under the roof, where the roof is jointed) or metal fittings for hiding timber joints. Authentication Paper They authenticated the blade on May 25th in the first year of Reiwa (2019). They appraised it as Tokubetsu Hozon Touken, the blade especially worth preserving for Japanese society.