説明
Antique Japanese Sword Katana attributed to Shigaseki with
Hozon
Certificate
【Description】
This blade is attributed to Shigeseki. Shiga Seki were a group of swordsmiths, originally from Mino province(Shiga prefecture) but moved to Shiga city in Owari province (today’s Nagoya) during the mid-Muromachi period. And they prospered until the late Muromachi period. Based on the appraisal of NBTHK, we believe this blade was forged about
500 years ago
(the Mid-Late Muromachi period). Their style are very close to Mino style swords called MINO-DEN.
MINO-DEN especially prospered during Sengoku Jidai(Warring State period) due to the high demand for weapons. And the location of Mino province beat others. Akechi Mitsuhide controlled Mino province, and Nobunaga Oda ruled Owari province, and Tokugawa Ieyasu was the lord of Suruga (Neighboring areas). There was high demand from those powerful feudal lords and their retainers. Furthermore, so many wars occurred between the Kanto region and the Kyoto area, and Mino is located in the middle, making feudal lords feel convenient to order swords from MINO-DEN. The blades forged in MINO provinces also had the reputation of their practical design and sharpness. Many feudal lords demanded swords forged in the Mino province. Also, many swordsmiths in Mino province moved to other areas of Japan like Shigaseki who moved to Owari province.
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.
*Please keep in mind that there are a couple of Kitae kizu on the upper part of the Shinogiji. If you like to see the detailed photos, please feel free to contact us.
【 Blade】
Cutting Edge Length(Nagasa)
:
71.4 cm( 28.1 inches)
Curvature(Sori)
:
1.6 cm( 0.63 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 surface of this Fuchi Kashira is decorated with the Nanako-Ji (魚子地) technique. This process makes a uniform minimal protrusions pattern by hitting the Nanako-Ji Tagane (魚子地鏨, a chisel for this technique) on a metal surface.
You would find the figures of dragons. Although some colorings have already faded due to aging, we can see its bright golden painting. It makes an elegant color contrast of black and gold. Initially, the dragon was an imaginary creature found in ancient foreign traditions or myths. The dragon was thought to reign at the top of all animals because of its odd appearance. Furthermore, it is regarded as a symbol of auspicious signs. Its body is likened to nine animals: antlers are deer, the head is a camel, eyes are demons, the neck is a snake, the belly is the Mizuchi (蛟, a mythical animal in Japan that looks like a snake and has a horn and four legs), scales are fish, claws are falcons, palms are tigers, and ears are cows.
Tsuka and Menuki
:
Tsuka is the handle of the Japanese sword and Menuki is its decoration.
Same as the Fuchi Kashira, this Menuki’s motifs are also dragons. You could see their figures through the gaps in the Tsukamaki thread. The dragons designed on both sword mountings are carefully engraved, even in small details. We imagine the former owner of this sword
