説明
Antique Japanese Sword Katana Attributed to Mizuta with NBTHK
Hozon
Certificate
【Description】
Summary
This blade is attributed to Mizuta (水田), which was one of the most prestigious schools during the early Edo period (
Mid-Late 17th century)
in Bitchu province (Today’s Okayama prefecture). There is also an inscription of 明治辛巳夏日有本久豊応需 龍眠斎松永兼行摺上之. This means that a sword smith named Ryuminsai Matsunaga Kaneyuki shortened this blade to meet a request from Arimoto Hisatoyo in the 14th year of the Meiji era (1881), summer. This type of the signature is called Kiritsuke Mei. It is quite rare to find such a signature.
About Mizuta School
Mizuta school was founded by the descendants of Ko AOE Tametsugu(古青江為次) in the late Muromachi period(1530-). Tametsugu is one of the most famous swordsmiths in the late Heian period-early Kamakura period(Late 12C-Early 13C). One of his works is designated as a national treasure of Japan.
AOE(青江) is the name of the school Tametsugu belonged to. It was located in Kurashiki city, Okayama prefecture today. AOE school was prosperous during the Kamakura-Nanbokucho era(-Late 12C-Late 14C), but it almost disappeared in the Muromachi period. However, because of the descendants of Tametsugu, the Ko AOE-style sword became popular again and revitalized the school by changing its name to Bitchu Koku Mizuta school.
The Bitchu Koku Mizuta school flourished from 1530-1700(The end of the Sengoku period to the mid-Edo period) in today’s Okayama prefecture. There were about 60 swordsmiths who belonged to Mizuta school and the swordsmith Kunishige was one of the most famous names and used by only selected sword makers. During the Edo period, many Mizuta swordsmiths moved to other parts of Japan.
There are two major groups in Mizuta swordsmiths during the Edo period. One is called Oyogo Kunishige school(大与五国重派), lead by Master Otsuki(大月)and the other is called Kono school(河野派) lead by Tameie(為家).
Okayama prefecture is located near the Chugoku Mountains, where iron sands, one of the essential materials for making Japanese swords, were abundant. Furthermore, the swordsmiths in Okayama prefecture had close access to Yoshi River, where they could find water and charcoal. This geological location contributed to the swordsmiths to forge high-quality refined blades. We presume Bichu was quite active in sword-forging from ancient times.
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)
:
64.8
cm (
25.5 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 on purpose to prevent red rust while the tang is in its handle. And the discoloration of the tang was created over time, which 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.
A plant pattern is engraved on the entire surface of this Fuchi Kashira. The curved vines and the leaves extending from them are elegantly arranged, giving a graceful impression. We would like to categorize this design as the Karakusa (唐草, arabesque) pattern. It is a pattern in which stems and leaves of vines are twined and make curves. Since ivy has a strong vitality and grows up without interruption, people regarded this design as a symbol of prosperity and longevity.
Tsuka and Menuki