説明
An unsigned katana forged during the Koto period has arrived. In December 1999, the Society for the Preservation of Japanese Art Swords certified this blade as the work of Kongo Hyoe, recognizing its value as a sword worthy of preservation for posterity, and issued a Hozon certificate. Considering its estimated age, the blade is in remarkably good condition. On the sashimote side, approximately 8 cm from the kissaki, there is a 1.8 cm wide Fukure-like forging mark. On the sashiura side, forging flaws are visible around 15 cm from the kissaki, and at 29 cm and 36 cm, there are dot-like flaws known as uchikomi. The jigane exhibits a well-kneaded itame grain with occasional mokume patterns, featuring a very fine suguha hamon. A kakinagashi-style groove is carved along both sides of the blade. Kongo Hyoe is renowned as the pinnacle of cutting performance, a name among names in the elite. This piece features the earliest chestnut-shaped tang root characteristic of Kongo Hyoe, suggesting it is the work of Moritaka, the founder of the Kongo Hyoe lineage during the Kamakura period. Moritaka's works are highly prized. Kongo Hyoe supplied the shogunate with exceptionally sharp weapons during the Mongol invasions of the Kamakura period, aiding in repelling the Mongol forces. Consequently, these swords became objects of reverence. Moritaka was a swordsmith active in Chikuzen Province (present-day Fukuoka Prefecture) from the late Kamakura period to the late Muromachi period. The founder of this school, Moritaka, was active during the Shohei era (1346–1370) of the Nanbokucho period and is also said to be the nephew of Kuniyoshi. Because he belonged to the Kongohyoe school, he is known as Kongo Hyoe Moritaka. Kongo Hyoe was a group based near Dazaifu in Chikuzen Province, residing on Mount Yuchi. Mount Uchi housed the Kongo Homan Shrine, also known as the Kamado Shrine, which is why the group came to be called Kongo Hyoe. Legend also holds that it was the beloved sword of Sanada
