説明

Antique Japanese Sword Wakizashi Signed by Masanobu with NBTHK Kicho Certificate 【Description】 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. 【 Blade】 Cutting Edge Length(Nagasa) : 39.2 cm (15.4 inches) Curvature(Sori) : 0.8 cm(0.315 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 on purpose to prevent red rust while the tang is in its handle. And the discoloration of the tang was created over time, which 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 of matching sword fittings that cover the upper and bottom parts of its sword hilt. 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 (1185-133