日本刀 刀 銘 備前国住長船祐定 NBTHK 保持審査合格（保存刀剣鑑定書付）

附属品

NBTHK Hozon Certificate, Koshirae Mounting, Shirasaya Case, Traditional Sword Carrying Case, Sword Maintenance Kit, Full Exportation Support

Category

Katana( KOTO)

Age

Late Muromachi Period

Location

Bizen province(today’s Okayama Prefecture)

登録証

Tokyo 1786

販売店の記載のまま

This blade has a signature of Sukesada(祐定). According to NBTHK, this blade was forged in the late Muromachi period(1492-1569 A.D). We contacted them to confirm this information. Those who forged swords in the Bizen province(Okayama prefecture) at the end of the Muromachi Period(1492-1569 A.D) are called Matsu Bizen(Matsu means the end). Sukesada school was one of the most famous schools, and it flourished for generations among Osafune schools(The head branch). There were various styles forged by the generations of Sukesada during this period. Approximately 60 swordsmiths used Sukesada as his maker’s name in the Samurai history. In that sense, the swordsmith’s name “Sukesada” worked as a kind of brand that attracted many Samurai. The swordsmiths in Bizen produced many swords during the Muromachi period as it was in the middle of the Sengoku period(Warring state period). The demand for swords increased among strong feudal lords. It would be nice to have a piece forged in the warring state period when there was so much rivalry between warlords. BIZEN is located near the Chugoku Mountains, where iron sands, one of the essential materials for making Japanese swords, were abundant. Furthermore, BIZEN swordsmiths 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 BIZEN was quite active in sword-forging from ancient times. It is said that BIZEN DEN was created by groups of swordsmiths there after the late Heian era(Late 12th century ). 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). Fuchi-Kashira Streaky patterns are carved semi-three-dimensionally. Each streak has different width irregularly. A similar pattern is seen at the handle part (please check the Tsuka and Menuki part, which will be mentioned later) also. We guess it was intentionally designed to make the unity. This Fuchi Kashira has a simple design; however, its irregular pattern creates a rhythm and makes this work unique. Tsuka and Menuki The snake is the motif of this Menuki. These snakes twist their slender bodies and form a ring around the middle part. This Menuki has glossy metal color and is in good condition. In Japan, this animal has a deep connection with religion. Many temples and shrines worship the snake as a god. It is said that the snake is also involved in the foundation of the Ryujin Shinkou (竜神信仰, dragon god belief). And it could be said that the snake is one of the special animals that have been familiar to Japanese people since ancient times because of its religious meaning. Some people thought that the water god dwelled in swamps or deep water, and its appearance was a giant snake. Or, a theory says that the souls of the dead have a snake appearance. The legend of the Yamata-no Orochi (ヤマタノオロチ, legendary eight-headed and eight-tailed Japanese serpent) is famous folklore that treats this animal. Tsuba and Habaki Same as the Menuki, this Tsuba’s motif is also the snake. A snake is coiled up, and it looks as if it were real due to its realistic engraving expression. It is an aggressive figure that seems to bite the opponent with a wide-open mouth, but at the same time, you would feel the dignity of reigning as the strong. Even each scale is carved very carefully. About snakes, the scale pattern has long been popular as a classic geometric pattern. It is called the Uroko/Rin (鱗) pattern in Japanese. It is a design in which equilateral triangles or isosceles triangles are arranged continuously. It is said then people associated this pattern with a butterfly or snake. In the Edo period, this design was treated as a talisman to protect people from evil spirits or misfortune. As snakes shed their skin several times, people thought it represented exorcism and rebirth. Also, some people thought that snakes’ sturdy skin would protect them or connect good relations firmly. The ecology of the snake’s strong vitality and the patience to aim for food over time might have been a habit that the Samurais wanted to emulate. Saya This scabbard is made of the skin of a snake. The skin of a snake has been treated as a good omen item since ancient times. Thanks to its distinctive design, the entire Koshirae has a stunning and powerful impression. Also, as mentioned above, the Menuki and the Tsuba have this animal design. This combination makes the unity for this Koshirae. Authentication Paper They authenticated the blade on Feb 25th in the 23rd year of Heisei (2011). They appraised it as Hozon Touken, the blade worth preserving for Japanese society. Registration Number The Board of Education in Tokyo prefecture issued a registration paper for this sword .It is called Jyu Token Rui Torokusho(銃刀剣類登録証).