説明
Antique Japanese Sword Katana Signed by Masahiro with
Hozon
Certificate
【Description】
This blade was attributed to Hizen Koku Kawachi Daijyo Fujiwara Masahiro (肥前国河内大掾藤原正広), while the “Fujiwara Masahiro” part was cut due to the size adjustment(Suriage) in the past.
Hizen Koku, located in Saga prefecture, is the place where Masahiro forged this blade. Kawachi Daijyo is an honorable official title given to a recognized swordsmith.
Fujiwara Masahiro is his maker’s name. This maker’s name lasted a few generations during the early-late Edo period. And we believe this blade was forged by the first generation, who was especially active during the Kanei-Manji era (1624-1661).
His lineage dates back to the beginning of the Edo period, when Tadayoshi, his grandfather, founded the school.
Tadayoshi is one of the greatest swordsmiths in the early Edo period in Japanese sword history.
The first-gen Mahiro was also a renowned swordsmith. The first-gen Masahiro started to serve Nabeshima Katsushige when he was 17. Nabeshima Katsushige became the head of Saga Domain in Hizen in 1607.
The first-gen Masahiro was selected as Okakae Kaji for the Nabeshima clan, meaning he exclusively forged swords for the feudal family. Nabeshima clan ruled Hizenkoku during the Edo period, which indicates that Masahiro served a powerful feudal lord. It was quite honorable for any swordsmith to be an Okakae Kaji. It is said that Masahiro’s forging technique was so great that he sometimes forged swords on behalf of Tadayoshi.
Hizenkoku had been flourishing through international trading. The swordsmiths in the Hizen province worked under the auspices of the Nabeshima clan like the first-gen Masahiro. They were able to produce beautiful Jigane-patterned blades, also known as Hizen To, using and mixing carbon steel made in western countries. The geographic location of this domain made it possible to have easy access to western carbon steel.
The first-gen Tadayoshi (His father)
The first-gen Tadayoshi was born and raised in the Saga domain. In 1596, under the domain’s order, he went to Kyoto to learn the sword-forging technique from Umetada Myojyu(埋忠明寿), one of the greatest swordsmiths in the early Edo period. He improved his craftsmanship and returned to the Saga domain two years later (1598). The first head of the Nabeshima clan, Nabeshima Katsushige, appreciated the work of the first-gen Tadayoshi very much. Then, Katsushige appointed him as his Okakaekaji, a swordsmith who exclusively forged swords for a specific domain or clan. And Tadayoshi started to stay near Saga castle, which is the headquarter of the Nabeshima clan. And, he founded Hizen Tadayoshi school, which trained more than 100 swordsmiths during the Edo period. Masahiro is one of them.
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)
:
69.7 cm( 27.4 inches)
Curvature(Sori)
:
1.06
cm( 0.42 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 principal motif of this Fuchi Kashira is the Tonobo (蜻蛉, dragonfly). You would realize that this insect i
