説明
Antique Japanese Sword Katana attributed to Sue-Hosho with
Hozon
Certificate
【Description】
Summary
This blade was attributed to Sue-Hosho (末保昌) by NBTHK, one of Japan’s most reputable Japanese sword appraising organizations. Hosho is the school that flourished during the late Kamakura-early Muromachi period (early14th-early 15th century).
In Japanese sword terminology, when the appraisal is given as Hosho (保昌), they are attributed to the ones made during the late Kamakura-Nanbokucho era (early-Late 14th century). And those made during the early Muromachi period are called Sue-Hosho (末保昌). Sue (末) means
“end” in Japanese.
Hosho school was founded by Sadamune (定宗) in the early 14th century in Yamato province (Today’s Nara prefecture). The prominent swordsmiths who belonged to this school were Sadayoshi(貞吉), Sadakiyo(貞清), and Sadaoki(貞興). The Hosho school was famous for creating blades with *Masame Hada, one kind of steel surface pattern that appeared on the Japanese sword.
There were five prestigious schools, including Hosho school, during the Kamakura-early Muromachi 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, Hosho school or other Yamato sword schools met the requests from monks. They also forged blades for Samurai during their heyday.
Yamato Den
The swords forged in Yamato regions are famous for their beautiful Jigane, steel surface, and straight tempering line(Suguha). And, they invented the particular sword-forging tradition called YAMATO DEN. This blade has a beautiful Jigane with a Suguha tempering line, which shows an outstanding characteristic of the Yamato sword. The overall condition is excellent. Based on the shape of Nakago(Tang), it was shortened in the past. We assume its original length was much longer than it is now.
Masame Hada
Masame (柾目) means straight grain in Japanese. Masame Hada is the Japanese sword terminology for the Hada (steel surface pattern of the Japanese sword) that looks like straight grain when one cuts a tree in half. This kind of Hada is often seen in the works of Yamato Den swordsmiths like the Hoshou school. And it usually is combined with Itame Hada, another grain pattern that looks like wood-grain seen in the Japanese sword. You can see the mixture of Masame/Itame Hada from this blade.
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 visible Kitae Kizu on this blade. If you like to see the detail, please feel free to contact us.
【 Blade】
Cutting Edge Length(Nagasa)
:
70.6 cm ( 27.8 inches)
Curvature(Sori)
:
1.66 cm (0.65 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.
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.
This Fuchi Kashira depicts a dragon running through rough waves. On the Kashira part, the wave pattern on the surface of the sea is engraved in an abstract design. And the plants are also sculpted to express the scenery of the waterside. Golden paint is effective