説明
Antique Japanese Sword Wakizashi Attributed to Ujisada with NBTHK
Hozon
Certificate
【Description】
Summary
This blade is attributed to a work of Ujisada (氏貞). Ujisada is also known as Izumo no Kami Ujisada (出雲守氏貞). He was active in sword-forging during the late Muromachi period (
1570-1593
: Genki-Tensho era). According to available records, Ujisada received an honorable official title of Izumo no Kami after the fifth year of the Tensho era (1577).
He originally signed Kanesada (兼貞) as his maker’s name and changed it to Ujisada. He was a student of the first-gen Ujifusa and an older brother of Wakasano Kami Ujifusa, who served Oda Nobunaga, one of the most famous Samurai in Japanese history. Ujisada initially forged swords in Mino province (today’s Gifu prefecture) but moved to Owari province (尾張: today’s Aichi prefecture) later in his life. His younger brother, Wakasano no Kami Ujifusa, also moved to Owari province (尾張) from Mino.
Anecdote about Ujisada
There is an interesting anecdote about Ujisada related to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, one of the three unifiers of Japan during the Sengoku period. When Hideyoshi wasn’t promoted to the high position yet, Kobayashi, one of his peers in the army, owned a great sword signed by Ujisada.
Hideyoshi got very fond of the sword and asked Kobayashi if he could buy the sword. However, Kobayashi wouldn’t let it go.
After Hideyoshi climbed the social ladder and became the head of 11 provinces, he asked Kobayashi again. He even offered a whole Ise province ( it was called Ise Koku (Country) back then) in exchange for the sword. But, Kobayashi declined Hideyoshi’s offer. This story became famous, and Ujisada became known as Ikkoku Ujisada. Ikkoku means a whole country (province in the old definition). This anecdote indicates that one sword made by Ujisada is worth more than one entire province.
Mino Province
The MINO swordsmiths style, also known as MINO-DEN, basically has the TOGARI(Pointed shapes protruding from the Hamon )in a classic straight line and random temper line with some white Utsuri. MINO-DEN had its origin from YAMATO-DEN in the late KAMAKURA period(1280-1330). It flourished in the MUROMACHI period(1333-1573) and continued until the EDO period(was1603-1868).
Due to the high demand for weapons, MINO-DEN exceedingly prospered during Sengoku Jidai(Warring State period). And the location of Mino province beat others. Akechi Mitsuhide controlled Mino province, Nobunaga Oda ruled Owari province, and Tokugawa Ieyasu was the lord of Suruga (Neighboring areas). There was high demand from those powerful feudal lords and their retainers. Furthermore, many wars occurred between the Kanto region and the Kyoto area.
Many feudal lords demanded swords forged in the Mino province. Mino is located in the middle, making feudal lords feel convenient to order swords from MINO-DEN. The blades forged in MINO provinces also had the reputation of their practical design and sharpness.
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)
:
37.7 cm(
14.8 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(Scabbard), Tsuka(Handle), Tsuba(Handguard).
Fuchi-Kashira
:
A pair
![刀 無銘(権少将氏貞)保存刀剣鑑定書 Katana No signature (Gon shosho Ujisada) [NBTHK: Hozon] 品番:KA066](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fitbhfhyptogxcjbjfzwx.supabase.co%2Fstorage%2Fv1%2Fobject%2Fpublic%2Flisting-images%2Ftoyuukai%2FL398809%2F00.jpg&w=2560&q=90)
