説明

Antique Japanese Sword Katana Signed by Motochika with Hozon Certificate 【Description】 Summary This blade was signed by Motochika, who was active during the Tenmon era ( 1532-1555 : Late Muromachi period). He resided in Sagami province (Today’s Kanagawa prefecture). Considering his active period, we believe he forged blades for Samurai during the warring state period called Sengoku Jidai. He created his works with the peculiar sword-forging tradition called Soshu Den. Soshu Den Swordsmiths residing in Soshu province (Today’s Kanagawa prefecture) used a particular sword-forging tradition called Soshu Den. Shoshu Den was born in the middle of the Kamakura period (mid 13th century). Back then, the Yamato and Yamashiro traditions were highly developed, and there were a few renowned swordsmiths from those regions. However, the sword-forging practice was in its infancy in the Kanto area, where the Soshu region was located. At the beginning of the Kamakura government, which was established in 1185, the first Shogun, Minamoto Yoritomo, prioritized making a lot of rules to have its political stability. And he couldn’t afford to hire swordsmiths within the same region or train them. Therefore, the Kamakura government originally ordered weapons to the swordsmiths in the other areas, such as Yamato and Yamashiro. But, since the government was established, the demand for weapons increased exponentially in the government, and they had to figure out how to meet those demands from Samurai who served Kamakura shogunate. Then, the 5th head of the Shogun, Hojo Tokiyori, invited two renowned swordsmiths from other parts of Japan. They were Awataguchi Kunitsuna from Yamashiro province and Bizen Saburo Kunimune from Bizen province. And the 7th-gen Shogun Koreyasu Shino also invited Fukuoka Ichimonji Sukezane from Bizen province. It is said that those three swordsmiths played an essential role in creating the Soshu Den and making the foundation of the Soshu Den. Also another famous figure in the Soshu den is Intou Kunimitsu, an adopted son of Awataguchi Knitsuna. And Kunimitsu passed his excellent craftsmanship to Yukimitsu, his apprentice. And Masamune, one of the most famous swordsmiths in Japanese history, was an apprentice of Yukimitsu. And Masamune was the one that brought Shoshuden to nationwide fame. The tradition Masamune completed became an example of other swordsmiths who learned Soshu Den. Also, Soshu Den influenced many renowned swordsmiths during the Koto- Shinto era. One of examples is Inoue Shinkai from Osaka and Suishinshi Masahide from Edo. Motochika was one of the swordsmiths who made great efforts to keep this Soshu Den tradition alive during the Muromachi period. Horimono (彫物) A Sanscrit letter is engraved on one side while the other has 南無不動明王 engraving. 南無不動明王(Namu Fudo Myo-O) is one of the objects of worship in Buddhism. According to a theory, it is the incarnation of Dainichi Nyorai (大日如来, Mahāvairocana, the principal image of esoteric Buddhism). Ubu Nakago (生茎) Ubu Nakago is a Japanese sword terminology that refers to a blade that hasn’t been shortened. This blade has a cutting edge length of 83.4 cm (32.8 inches), much longer than the average size Katana. It is Ubu Nakago, meaning it was never shortened since its creation. It was a common act among Samurai to have his Katana shortened to follow the imposed regulations or to adjust for his body size. You can often see the shortened blades made during the Kamakura-Muromachi period. However, the size of this blade hasn’t changed, and it is rare to find such a piece made before the Edo period. This blade is appraised as a Hozon Token(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 with artistic value. 【 Blade】 Cutting Edge Length(Nagasa) : 83.4 cm (32.8 inches) Curvature(Sori) : 3.0 cm (1.18 inches) Hamon : The crystalline structure which forms along the cutting edge of