説明
Antique Japanese Sword Katana attributed to Tegai with NBTHK
Tokubestsu
Hozon
Certificate
【Description】
This blade is attributed to Tegai (手掻) according to NBTHK’s appraisal. The first-gen Kanenaga is known as the founder of Tegai school. The school was prosperous during the late Kamakura-mid Muromachi period (1288-1460). We believe the attribution was given to late Kamakura-Nanbokucho era (Early-Mid 14th century). It is said that Tegai school belonged to Todaiji temple, and it was located in front of the gate called Tengai Gate (輾磑門). The school name Tegai originally came from the sound of Tengai Gate.
There were five prestigious schools, including Tegai school, during the Kamakura-Nanbokucho period in Yamato province. They are called Yamato Goha(大和五派); Senjyuin(千手院), Shikkake (尻懸), Taima(当麻), Hosho(保昌) and Tegai(手掻) school. They served politically powerful monks and temples in Nara, such as Todaiji temples. They were initially forging swords for military monks who became powerful due to the government’s policy back then.
Monks needed many weapons as there were many political rivalries between influential temples. They required strong weapons like swords to protect themselves. During this time, Tegai school or other Yamato sword schools met the requests from monks. They also forged blades for Samurai during their heyday. It is often the case that those who belonged to Yamato Goha didn’t inscribe their signatures.
Tegai school belonged to YAMATO DEN, which has the longest history among GOKADEN, five traditions of Japanese sword forging techniques. The blades forged by swordsmiths residing in the Yamato region are generally called Yamato Mono.
The swords forged in the Yamato regions are famous for their beautiful Jigane, steel surface, and straight tempering line(Suguha). This blade has a beautiful Jigane with a Suguha tempering line, which shows an outstanding characteristic of the Yamato sword.
This blade is appraised as a
Tokubetsu Hozon Touken
(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.
【Blade】
Cutting Edge Length (Nagasa)
:
60.4 cm (23.8 inches)
Curvature (Sori)
:
1.4 cm (0.55 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.
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 Kiri (桐) patterns are designed on this Fuchi Kashira. Gold paintings are applied to these flowers and make this part looks gorgeous. This plant design is generally composed of three standing straight inflorescences and three leaves. The number of blooming flowers at each inflorescence means the ranks of this design. The Gosan-no Kiri Monyou (五三の桐文様) is a popular pattern that the paulownia motif is used. This design was once used by the imperial family and people in authority back then. Today, it is permitted to use by ordinary households and is appreciated as their family crests. Not only is the Gosan-no Kiri pattern, but there are also various types of Kiri-designed family crests. In order to distinguish between the head family and branch families, or the lord and vassals, they used family crests with the same motif but were not exactly the same appearance.
Tsuka and Menuk