説明
Antique Japanese Sword Katana Unsigned Shikkake with
Tokubetsu Hozon
Certificate
【Description】
This blade is attributed to a work of the Shikkake school during the late Kamakura-Nanbokucho period(1299-1392), according to NBTHK’s appraisal.
Shikkake school was founded by Norinaga(則長) in Yamato region(Today’s Nara prefecture) during the Bunpo era (1317-1319: Late Kamakura period). It is said that swords forged by Norinaga were known for their sharpness and made a lot of long Tachi swords. Therefore, most of the remaining work has been shortened so dramatically that the signatures were cut.
The school prospered during the late Kamakura period-Muromachi period.
There were five prestigious schools, including Shikkake school during the Kamakura-Nanbokucho period. They are called Yamato Goha(大和五派); Senjyuin(千手院), Tegai(手掻)・Taima(当麻)・Hosho(保昌) and Shikkake school. They served politically powerful monks and temples in Nara, such as Todaiji temples. They were initially forging swords for military monks who became powerful due to the government’s policy back then. Monks needed many weapons as there were many political rivalries between influential temples, and they need strong weapons like swords to protect themselves. During this time, Shikkake school or other Yamato sword schools met the requests from monks. They also forged blades for Samurai during their heyday.
Shikkake school belonged to YAMATO DEN, which has the longest history among GOKADEN, five traditions of Japanese sword forging techniques. The blades forged by swordsmiths residing in Yamato region are generally called Yamato Mono.
The name Shikkake came from the district where this school forged swords. The district’s name used to be called Shirikake, but it changed its pronunciation over time and became Shikkake. They called themselves Shikkake swordsmiths. Shikkake school forged swords near Todaiji temple, one of the most famous temples in Japan. The name Shikkake came from the ritual in festivals taking place near Todaiji temple.
Those who carried mikoshi, a portable shrine on their shoulders during the festivals, took a rest at the district, and they sat there. In Japanese, Shikkake(尻懸) means sitting down. That is how this district was named. The Shikkake swordsmiths such as Norinaga included the name in his maker’s name.
The swords forged in Yamato regions are famous for their beautiful Jigane, steel surface, and straight tempering line(Suguha). This blade has a beautiful Jigane with a Suguha tempering line, which shows an outstanding characteristic of the Yamato sword. The overall condition is excellent. Based on the shape of Nakago(Tango), it was shortened in the past. We assume its original length was much longer than it is now.
It is accompanied by beautiful sword mountings.
There is a Saya Gaki, which is one’s appraisal on the sheath on Shirasaya Case(Plain wooden case). It was written by Sodo, a famous modern Japanese sword appraiser in Kyushu island. It says Yamato Koku Kanenaga, who belonged to a different school. However, according to NBTHK’s appraisal in 2017, this blade was authenticated as a work of Shikkake school.
This blade 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)
:
62.1 cm( 24.4 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 specialis
