説明

Antique Japanese Sword Katana Signed by Muneshige with Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate 【Description】 This blade was signed by Hitachi no Kami Muneshige (常陸守宗重) in the early Edo Period(Approx. 350 years old). Muneshige was originally from the Harima area(Hyogo prefecture today). He then moved to Osaka to forge swords during the Kanbun era. (the early Edo period). His master was the first generation Tsuda Sukehiro(津田助広), one of the greatest swordsmiths in the early Edo period in Osaka. The reputation of Sukehiro was closed to Kotetsu, another renowned swordsmith in the Edo period. It is said that Muneshige’s sword-forging technique was so great that he forged some swords on behalf of his master Sukehiro. Muneshige received the title of Hitachi no Kami. The imperial court only gave the title of kami(守) to the swordsmiths who did excellent work. It was honorable for any swordsmiths to receive such a title and only extremely skilled swordsmiths deserved this title. The blades forged by Muneshige are categorized as Osaka Shinto. Shinto is Japanese Sword generic term that refers to the swords forged during 1596-1781. The blades made in Osaka area during this period are called Osaka Shinto. There are many famous swordsmiths in this Osaka Shinto era. After Hideyoshi Toyotomi built Osaka castle, Osaka city flourished as a castle town and became the business center. Many swordsmiths moved to Osaka to look for better opportunities. They not only forged swords for those Samurai who lived in Osaka but also for feudal lords nationwide. Ikanshi Tadatsuna(Awataguchi Omi no Kami Tadatsuna), Inoue Shinkai, and Tsuda Sukehiro are the most famous ones among those many swordsmiths. It 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. *Please keep in mind that there is one small Kizu on the Shinogiji part (we uploaded the part in one of the photos). If you like to see more detailed conditions, please feel free to contact us. 【Blade】 Cutting Edge Length(Nagasa) : 60.6 cm (23.8 inches) Curvature(Sori) : 1.0 cm (0.39 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 the Fuchi-Kashira is “Bamboo with Tigers” (竹に虎: Take ni Tora), a traditional Japanese design symbolizing strength and resilience. Bamboo represents flexibility and endurance, while the tiger embodies power and courage. Additionally, the Fuchi-Kashira features a Nanako (魚々子) texture, a decorative technique of tiny, bead-like dots often used in Japanese metalwork to create a refined and elegant surface. Tsuka and Menuki : Tsuka is the handle of the Japanese sword and Menuki is its decoration. Tsuba and Habaki : Tsuba is the handguard for the Japanese Sword and Habaki is the equipment to make the blade not touch its scabbard inside. It prevents the blade from getting rusty and chipped. The theme of the Tsuba is the dragon (Ryū, 龍)—a powerful and revered creature in Japanese culture. In Japan, the dragon and the tiger are often depicted together as symbolic opposites, representing