説明
Antique Japanese Sword Katana attributed to Mino Senjuin with NBTHK
Hozon
Certificate
【Description】
This blade is attributed to Mino Senjuin (美濃千手院), which is one of the most famous schools during the late Nanbokucho-late Muromachi period (Mid 14th-Early 16th century) in Mino province (today’s Gifu prefecture). According to NBTHK that appraised this blade, it was approximately made during the mid-late Muromachi period (Late 15th-Early 16th century).
The school was located in Akasaka village near Sekigahara, an essential hub for transportation and military bases from ancient times. It is said that the Mino Senjuin school was founded by Sensui (泉水), the son of Yamato Koku Senjuin Shigehiro. Yamato region was one of the most famous sites for sword-forging during the late Heian-Kamakura period. Sensui moved from Yamato (today’s Nara prefecture) to Akasaka village in Mino province during the Nanbokucho period.
Senjuin School in Yamato region
There was a temple called Senjudo in Nara prefecture where Senju Kannon (Thousand arms) Budha statue was worshiped. And a group of swordsmiths who lived there was known as Senjuin (千手院). They belonged to Todaji temple. Senjuin School was founded by Yukinobu, who was the son of Yoshiyuki. Yukinonobu was originally a servant for Senjuin temple, a branch of Todaiji temple during the late Heian period (1086-1107), and eventually became an Okakae Kaji for the temple.
This blade is appraised as a
Hozon Touken
(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, well preserved and high quality with artistic value.
*Please keep in mind that there are a few Kitae Kizu on the blade. If you like to see the detailed condition, please feel free to contact us.
【Blade】
Cutting Edge Length (Nagasa)
:
68.4
cm (26.7 inches)
Curvature (Sori)
:
1.5
cm (0.59 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 on this Fuchi-Kashira features 仙人 (sen-nin, a hermit) and a crane (鶴, tsuru) eating pine a pine tree (松, matsu). Both are famous symbols of immortality in Japan, but it is rare to see these two depicted together on the same Katana.
The hermit is a figure often found in Taoist and Chinese legends, living in the mountains and harmonizing with nature, sometimes even possessing magical powers. He is often portrayed as a symbol of wisdom and a representation of moral ideals. For example, in Japan, items featuring the image of a hermit have traditionally been used to encourage the owner to live wisely and maintain inner peace.
In Japan, both the cranes and the pine trees are symbols of longevity, and when combined, they come to represent immortality. Strictly speaking, the crane on this Fuchi-Kashira does not hold a pine needle in its beak, but you can see that it is gazing toward a pine tree.
Tsuka and Menuki
:
Tsuka is the handle of the Japanese sword and Menuki is its decoration.
The theme of this Menuki is a horsetail (土筆, tsukushi). The field horsetail endures the cold winter and comes into buds in the spring. We would say it is one of the seasonal things of spring. It is a plant with solid vitality th
