説明
Antique Japanese Sword Katana Unsigned Ko-Uda with NBTHK
Tokubetsu Hozon
Certificate
【Description】
This blade is
attributed to the work of Uda school by NBTHK, which authenticated this blade. While the certificate doesn’t mention when it was forged, NBTHK appraises it was made in the Kamakura-Nanbokucho period (Approx. 1299 – 1393). We made a phone call to NBTHK to confirm it.
Uda is a prestigious
school that flourished during the Nanbokuchoto-mid Muromachi period(approx. 1334-1491). It was founded by Kunimitsu(国光) in the late Kamakura period. The school was located in Etchu province in Toyama prefecture today. Kunimitsu was originally from Yamato Uda Gun(大和宇多郡), located in Nara prefecture but moved to Etchu in the late Kamakura period(1299-1333) with his apprentices including Kunifusa(国房), and Kunimune(国宗).
Uda school was famous for producing practically designed blades, which were desirable during Nanbokucho- Muromachi period. Among other schools in the Hokuriku region(the northwestern part of Honshu), Uda school was the most prominent school.
When the Uda scho
ol flourished in the Nanbokucho period, Japan had a tumultuous time because the imperial court was split into two sides(south and north). There were so many conflicts, and many Samurai were deployed. The trend in battlefields was to use a surprisingly long sword. This trend continued until the early-mid Muromachi period. This blade doesn’t look long now, but we assume it used to be quite a long sword based on the tang’s shape, meaning it was shortened a few times in the past.
There are two
categories in the work of Uda school. One is called Ko Uda(Old Uda), and the other is called Uda. Ko Uda swords were forged during the late Kamakura period to the Nanbokucho period. Uda blades were forged during the Muromachi period. This blade is categorized as a Ko-Uda blade.
This blade is appr
aised 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)
:
71.5 cm( 28.1
inches)
Curvature(Sori)
:
1.51 cm(0.59 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(Sabbard), 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 is decorated with a continuous geometric pattern. The quadrangles are evenly arranged, and the center of each square is raised high; it makes an uneven surface. These unevennesses create beautiful shadows, and it adds brilliance to the appearance of the Koshirae when this Fuchi Kashira is put into the handle.
Tsuka and Menuki
:
Tsuka is the handle of the Japanese sword and Menuki is its decoration.
The upper Menuki’s motif is probably a mountain. We guess it might be Mt. Fuji. It is a popular design that symbolizes Japan, has been familiar to Japanese people since ancient times. Its Japanese name is written as 富士山 (Fuji-San), and there are several theories about its name. For example, an idea says that Fuji is written as 不二 (only), and is also written as 不死 (immortality) in another theory. In any case, it is a design that is still loved by people today as a sign of auspiciousness.
The lower Menuki’s motif is the pine tree. It is also a classica