説明

Antique Japanese Sword Wakizashi Signed by Yasushige with NBTHK Hozon Certificate 【Description】 This blade was signed by Bushu Shitahara Ju Yasushige (武州下原住康重). Bushu Shitahara is the name of the area in Hachioji city in today’s Tokyo, where he created this blade. The maker’s name Yasushige lasted several generations from the late Muromachi period until the end of the Edo period. We estimate this blade was forged by late-gen Yasushige, active during the early Edo period, judging from the inscription on the tang. Yasushige belonged to Bushu Shitahara school in today’s Tokyo (Hachioji city). It is said that Yamamoto Norishige founded the school, and it thrived from the end of the Muromachi period to the late Edo period (Late 16th century to Late 19th century). The swordsmiths who lived in Shitahara were called Shitahara Kaji. They were the group of swordsmiths under the Hojo clan’s auspicious, powerful feudal line during the late Muromachi period first. It is said that the first-gen Yasushige was the son of Chikashige, another prominent figure in this school. The first-gen Yasushige originally signed Chikashige as his first maker’s name. However, he changed it to Yasushige after receiving 康 (Yasu) letter from Hojo Ujiyasu, a famous feudal lord he served. After the Toyotomi clan destroyed the Hojo clan in the Azuchi Momoyama period, Shitahara started to serve the Tokugawa clan as Okakae Kaji, swordsmiths exclusively working for a specific feudal family. Most of the Shitahara swordsmith’s real sir name was Yamamoto. They especially flourished during the late Muromachi period -early Edo period. They kept forging for the Tokugawa clan until the end of the Edo period. Among the Bushu Shitahara group, Yasushige was one of the most famous makers. One of the most distinctive characteristics of the blades forged by Shitahara Kaji is Jorinmoku (如輪杢), which looks like a whirlpool on Hada (the steel surface of the Japanese sword). It 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, especially well preserved and high quality with artistic value. *Please keep in mind that there are a couple of black rusts on the Mune (backbone of the blade). If you like to see more detailed condition, please feel free to contact us. 【Blade】 Cutting Edge Length (Nagasa) : 57.7 cm (22.7 inches) Curvature (Sori) : 0.5 cm (0.19 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 Kissaki : Kissaki is the tip of the Japanese sword. 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. Habaki : Habaki is the equipment to make the blade not touch its scabbard inside. It prevents the blade from getting rusty and chipped. Authentication Paper : NBTHK Hozon Certificate for the blade (No. 3033831) 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 Feb 21st in the 6th year of Reiwa (2024). They appraised it as Hozon Touken, the blade especially 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 : Aichi 26832 The Board of Education in Aichi prefecture issued a registration paper for this sword. It is called Jyu Ho Token Rui Torokusho (銃砲刀剣類登録証). Bunkacho (The Agency for