日本刀 脇差 銘 正信 日本美術刀剣保存協会 貴重刀剣認定書付

附属品

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

Category

Wakizashi (SHINTO)

Age

Edo Period

Location

Bizen province(today’s Okayama prefecture)

登録証

Tokyo 323298

販売店の記載のまま

This blade was forged by Bishu Fuokuka Jyu Masanobu(備州福岡住正信) during the early Edo period according to the NBTHK’s appraisal. Bishu is the name of the province located in Today’s Okayama prefecture. Fukuoka is the name of the city famous for sword-forging from ancient times. Bishu is also known as Bizen, which created one of the five most Japanese sword-forging techniques called BIZEN DEN. BIZEN is located near the Chugoku Mountains, where iron sands, one of the essential materials for making Japanese swords, were abundant. Furthermore, BIZEN swordsmiths had close access to Yoshi River, where they could find water and charcoal. This geological location contributed to the swordsmiths to forge high-quality refined blades. We presume BIZEN was quite active in sword-forging from ancient times. It is said that BIZEN DEN was created by groups of swordsmiths there after the late Heian era(Late 12th century ). The swordsmiths in Bizen exceedingly prospered and produced many swords for feudal lords during the late Muromachi period as it was in the middle of the Sengoku period(Warring state). As a result, the demand for blades increased among strong feudal lords, and so many practically designed swords were forged and must have been used on battlefields. When this blade was made, Japan enjoyed a relatively peaceful time called the Edo period. During the Edo period. (1603-1868 A.D.), the use of Wakizashi became more widespread among Samurais. Because the Edo Government had launched the national law to force all Samurais to wear two Japanese swords (Katana and Wakizashi) to identify themselves as the regime’s military officers. Wakizashi refers to a 30-60 cm long blade (11.8-28.6 inches) and was worn on the waist along with Katana. Samurai carried Wakizashi as a backup sword next to Katana. Samurai needed to use Wakizashi when he fought in a small room or proximity where Katana would be too long to unsheathe. Also, when Samurai entered a castle, he had to leave his Katana to the castle guard. In contrast, Wakizashi was allowed to bring inside as self-protection. Based on the characteristic of this blade, we believe it was forged for a high-ranked Samurai who needed an accompanying wakizashi with his Katana. Its condition is excellent and has a very distinctive Hamon tempering line. We are confident you will cherish the beauty of this Wakizashi as well as intricate, gorgeous sword mountings. Fuchi-Kashira Chrysanthemum flowers floating in running water. This design is called Kikusui (菊水, chrysanthemum, and water) in Japanese. There is also a pattern in which half of the chrysanthemum flowers are hidden in the water. Since a long time ago, the Kikusui pattern has been known as a design representing longevity based on a Chinese legend. It says we could extend our lifespan by drinking water flowing from the chrysanthemum colony. Therefore, people treated this design as a kind of good luck motif. It is said this pattern started to be used in the Kamakura period (1185-1333). Some families used it for their family crests. Kusunoki Masashige (楠木 正成, 1294?-1336) is one of them. He contributed to the defeat of the Kamakura Shogunate and was given the chrysanthemum flower crest by Emperor Go-Daigo (後醍醐天皇, 1288-1339) in recognition of his remarkable achievements. However, Masashige chose to use the Kikusui pattern; the water flowing in the lower half of the chrysanthemum flower. A theory says it was because he thought it was too presumptuous to have the same crest as the Emperor. The Kikusui pattern was often found in Noh (能, classical Japanese dance-drama) costumes and Kosode (小袖, a type of traditional Japanese cloth), and was called in refined names such as Nagare-Giku (流れ菊) or Kiku-no Yarimizu (菊の遣り水). Tsuka and Menuki Fighting Samurais are designed for this Menuki. As they wear gorgeous armors, they are possibly high-ranked soldiers. One has a Naginata (薙刀, long pole-shaped weapon), and the other, his sword, is invisible. However, we could see that he wears a helmet with a crescent-shaped Maedate (前立て, front decoration). It seems they are on the battlefield and trying to defeat their enemies. The former owner of this sword might have longed for the bravery of these Samurais. Tsuba and Habaki Oval-shaped Tsuba made from iron. Dragons are the principal motifs of this work. It seems these dragons are looking through the clouds, or it can be seen they are floating from the surface of the water. According to a theory, a dragon dwells in the clouds. So, the combination of dragons and clouds is a famous theme. Also, there is a belief that worships dragon as a water god in Japan. Since rice cultivation has been flourished in this country, water is always an essential resource. Therefore, the combination of dragon and water could also be considered. Initially, the dragon is an imaginary creature found in ancient traditions or myths. Furthermore, it is a symbolic beast of encouraging 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. Authentication Paper They authenticated the blade on October 22th in the 47th year of Showa (1972). They appraised it as Kicho Touken, an old form of the authentication paper .