説明

Antique Japanese Sword Katana Unsigned Ietsugu with NBTHK Hozon Certificate 【Description】 According to NBTHK, which appraised this blade, it was forged by Kashu Ietsugu in the late Muromachi period(late 16th century), while there is no signature on the tang. He is also known as Kaga Aoe. It is said that Ietusugu belonged to the Kashu Sanekage school, which was prosperous during the Muromachi period, forging many swords for high-class Samurai. He resided in Kashu province(today’s Ishikawa prefecture), forging swords for living. This province was ruled by Maeda clan when Ietsugu was alive. Maeda clan was originally a retainer of Oda family, who ruled Owari province. (today’s Nagoya area in Aichi prefecture) The first head of the Maeda clan was Toshie Maeda. He climbed the social ladder of Samurai society, and he became the feudal lord of Kaga Province(today’s Ishikawa prefecture). It is said that he had a vast rice fief that fed 100 million grown-up adults, which is called Hyakuman Goku. The Maeda clan was one of the most powerful lines in Samurai history. Toshie Maeda had a close tie with Oda Nobunaga and Hideyoshi Toyotomi. This sword has a Hozon certificate issued by NBTHK. This authentication paper was only given to Japanese swords, worth preserving by Nihon Bijutsu Touken Hozon Kyokai(the Society for the Preservation of the Japan Art Sword). 【 Blade】 Cutting Edge Length(Nagasa) : 69.3 cm(27.3 inches) Curvature(Sori) : 1.66 cm( 0.65 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. Fuchi-Kashira : A pair of matching sword fittings that cover the upper and bottom parts of its sword hilt. Horses are designed for this Kashira. In Japan, the horse was once regarded as a vehicle of gods. According to a theory, horses were brought to Japan from the continent from the end of the 4th century to the beginning of the 5th century. Moreover, the riding technique was transmitted at the same time. After a while, the horse riding fight was incorporated into battles, and horses were increased their military value. We could consider that the horse pattern was familiar with Samurai. The Fuchi is decorated with a maple pattern. It changes its color from green to red, orange or yellow. People enjoy it, and the maple design has been treated as a symbolic motif of fall. Tsuka and Menuki : Tsuka is the handle of the Japanese sword and Menuki is its decoration. Tsuba and Habaki : Tsuba is the handguard for the Japanese Sword and Habaki is the equipment to make the blade not touch its scabbard inside. It prevents the blade from getting rusty and chipped. Circle-shaped Tsuba made from iron. Its maker’s signature is found next to Nakago-Ana (center hole); it is written 信家 (Nobuie). Saya : Saya is the scabbard for the Japanese sword. Two different colors are applied at regular intervals; it makes a gorgeous appearance for Saya. Authentication Paper : NBTHK Hozon Certificate for the blade NBTHK, also known as Nihon Bijutsu Touken Hozon Kyokai (the Society for the Preservation of the Japan Art Sword), is one of the oldest Japanese sword appraising organizations in modern-day Japan. They authenticated the blade on July 11th in the second year of Heisei(1990). They appraised it as Hozon Touken, the blade worth preserving for Japanese society. The purchaser will receive this original certificate as well. We can also translate what is written into English and make a PDF file for your record if you request. Registration Number : Tokyo 248952 The Board of Education in To