説明

Antique Japanese Sword Katana Signed by Masakage with Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate 【Description】 Summary This blade was signed by Hokuetsu Kouyo Jyu Minamoto Masakage (北越高陽住源正蔭) in May, the first year of the Genji era ( 1864 : The end of the Edo period). Hokuetsu Kouyo is the name of the province where he resided when he forged this blade. It was common for swordsmiths to sign where he lived alongside his signature. He was born in Toyama domain in Etchu province, and his birth name was Goshima Koisuke (五島鯉介). He mainly lived in today’s Nigata prefecture in his career. He belonged to Yamaura school, founded by Minamoto Kiyomaro (源清麿), one of the most famous swordsmiths at the end of the Edo period (mid-late 19th century). Masakage received an honorable title Gyokushinsai(玉心斎), often adding this title before his signature. Masakage mostly learned sword-forging techniques from Minamoto Masao, another renowned swordsmith who was a member of Yamaura school and the first apprentice of Kiyomaro. Later in his career, Masakage also worked for Suishinshi Masatsugu, the first son of the second-gen Suishinshi Masahide. The first-gen Suishinshi Masahide’s fame was as nationwide as Minamoto Kiyomaro. Soshu Den and Bizen Den are two of the five traditional Japanese sword-forging techniques called Gokaden passed down for generations. The other three are Mino DEN, Yamato Den, and Yamashiro DEN. It is said that Masakage mastered Soshu DEN by being an apprentice of Minamoto Masao and Bizen DEN from Suishinshi Masatsugu. The Background History Japan enjoyed a relatively peaceful time from the early Edo period to the mid-Edo period(the 1600s-1760s) because of the stable economy and the powerful government run by Tokugawa Shogun. Samurai didn’t have many opportunities to utilize his Katana sword in public or on battlefields during this time. Thus, they carried their swords more as a symbol of their social status. The demand for weapons decreased accordingly compared to the previous Warring state period called Sengoku Jidai. (1467-1600) However, toward the end of the Edo period(1764-1876), the Japanese sword’s role changed dramatically. With the poverty spreading in Japan, there were so many riots initiated by the civilians. Japanese sword started to play an essential role in maintaining public safety. Pressure from foreign countries to open Japanese borders also forced Samurai to order strong-looking swords to survive this tumultuous time. We believe many swordsmiths, including Masakage, made great efforts to forge high-quality, practical blades for their masters to prepare for battles. This blade has strong looking and must have been practical to use in that demanding time. There was a civil war between Tokugawa’s Shogunate government and the new Meiji imperial government at the end of the Edo period. That means the original owner of this Katana might have seen the moment when Samurai’s life changed forever. After this battle, Tokugawa Shogunate was ousted, and the imperial government gained control. It is appraised as a Tokubetsu Hozon Token (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) : 75.75 cm (29.8 inches) Curvature(Sori) : 1.8 cm( 0.70 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 severa

Antique Japanese Sword Katana Signed by Masakage NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate

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Antique Japanese Sword Katana Signed by Masakage NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate

Name: Antique Japanese Sword Katana Signed by Masakage NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate
Brand: Hokuetsu Kouyo Jyu Minamoto Masakage
SKU: 497745
Availability: SoldOut