日本刀 脇差 銘 一法（NBTHK 特別保存刀剣鑑定書付）

附属品

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate, Shirasaya Case, Koshirae Sword Mounting, Traditional Sword Carrying Case, Sword Maintenance Kit, Full Exportation Support

Category

Wakizashi ( SHINTO)

Age

Early Edo period(Late 17th century)

Location

Omi province(today’s Shiga prefecture)

登録証

Tochigi 53312

販売店の記載のまま

Ippo(一峯) is a renowned swordsmith who belonged to Omi Ishido school during the early Edo period. There are two generations of the smith named Ippo. We believe the first-gen forged it based on the signature. The first-gen Ippo was born in Takagi village in Omi province(Today’s Shiga prefecture). While the first-gen Ippo forged swords in Omi province for the rest of his life, his son, second-gen Ippo, also forged in Edo city(Today’s Tokyo). The first-gen Ippo was active at sword-forging at the beginning of the Edo period(1648-1652). Ishido school was initially founded by Sukenaga, an offspring of Ichimonji Sukemune, who made Fukuoka Ichimonji school in Bizen province(Today’s Okayama prefecture). During 1492-1501(Mid Muromachi period), Sukenaga and his school moved to Omi province from Bizen province after being summoned by Gamou family, a powerful feudal line in that region. Sukenaga started to live in front of Ishido temple, and he changed his surname to Ishido. As of the early Edo period, many Ishido swordsmiths moved to other parts of Japan. There are mainly four areas: Edo, Osaka, Kishu(Wakayama prefecture), and Chikuzen(Fukuoka prefecture). Omi Ishido school is the origin of whole other Ishido branches that flourished during the Edo period. While this blade is categorized as Wakizashi, its length is very close to Katana. In Japanese sword terminology, when the blade is more than two Shaku, it is considered Katana. One Shaku is an old measurement, which is equivalent to 30.3 cm. Therefore, two Shaku means 60.6 cm. This blade’s cutting edge length is 60.0 cm. This blade has a Tokubetsu Hozon certificate issued by NBTHK. This authentication paper was only given to Japanese swords, especially worth preserving by Nihon Bijutsu Touken Hozon Kyokai(the Society for the Preservation of the Japan Art Sword). This sword has beautiful Suguha(straight tempering line) and Jigane. It comes with a beautifully Raden(crushed oyster shell) crafted scabbard with gorgeous sword mounting. Fuchi-Kashira The Karakusa (唐草, arabesque) pattern is inlaid with silver on this Fuchi Kashira. A pattern in which stems and leaves of vines are twined and make curves. Since ivy has a strong vitality and grows up without interruption, people regarded this design as a symbol of prosperity and longevity. Also, the Nanako-Ji (魚子地) technique decorates the surface of this Fuchi Kashira. The ground was hit by the Nanako-Ji Tagane (魚子地鏨, chisel used for this technique). It makes delicate fish egg-shaped protrusions on the entire surface of the Tsuba. The Nanako-Ji with the same size of particles lined up regularly makes us feel the maker’s expert skill. Tsuka and Menuki It might be the Kabura-Ya (鏑矢) that is the motif of this Menuki. Ya (矢) means an arrow in Japanese. Kabura-Ya is a type of arrow which is attached to Kabura (鏑, a kind of weapon) to the tip of an arrow. Kabura-Ya whistles when it is shot. Therefore, it was used as a signal on the battlefield to notify the start of a battle. In Japan, we can find it in traditional events such as Yabusame (流鏑馬, horseback archery) today. Also, it is enjoyed as a good-omen interior that will protect people from evil spirits. Tsuba and Habaki Itomaki-shaped iron Tsuba that has Kozuka and Kougai holes. Itomaki (糸巻) means spool. As its shape looks similar to a spool, this type of Tsuba’s form was named this name. A giant dragon is designed for this Tsuba. This dragon gives us a sharp look, and clouds twine around its elongated body. Initially, a dragon is an imaginary creature found in ancient traditions or myths. Furthermore, it is a symbolic beast of auspicious signs. Its body is likened to nine animals: antlers are deer, the head is a camel, eyes are demons, the neck is a snake, belly is Mizuchi (蛟, mythical animal in Japan which looks like a snake and have a horn and four legs), scales are fish, claws are falcons, palms are tigers, and ears are cows. It was thought that the dragon would reign at the top of all animals because of its odd-looking appearance. This beast design is often seen in sword mountings; it tells us that how much Samurais loved this motif. Kozuka The small knife is stored in the Kozuka. Same as the Tsuba, the dragon design is engraved for this Kozuka. This dragon is looking back, twisting its slender body as if it were threaten something. Authentication Paper They authenticated the blade on August 26th in the first year of Reiwa(2019). They appraised it as Tokubetsu Hozon Touken, the blade especially worth preserving for Japanese society.