NihontoWatchNihontoWatchSummary This Tsurugi blade is attributed to a work of Kinbo (金房) school, according to the NBTHK’s appraisal. Tsurugi means a double-edged blade, and since ancient times, Tsurugi was treated as a religious symbol in Japan. Kinbo(金房) school flourished in the late Muromachi Period. We believe this blade was made in the late Muromachi period (1570’s), judging from the active period of this school. It is said that the founder of Kinbo school was an offspring of a member of Tegai school in Yamato region(today’s Nara prefecture). The swordsmiths who belonged to Kinbo school made blades for Sohei, Buddist warrior monks, and Samurai in the area during the warring state period called SENGOKU JIDAI. About Tegai school There were five prestigious schools, including Tegai school, during the Kamakura-Nanbokucho period. They are called Yamato Goha(大和五派); Senjyuin(千手院), Tegai(手掻)・Taima(当麻)・Hosho(保昌) and Shikkake school. They served politically powerful monks and temples in Nara, such as Todaiji temples. They were initially forging swords for military monks who became powerful due to the government’s policy back then. Monks needed many weapons as there were many political rivalries between influential temples, and they needed strong weapons like swords to protect themselves. During this time, Tegai school or other Yamato sword schools met the requests from monks. They also forged blades for Samurai during their heyday. Tegai school belonged to YAMATO DEN, which has the longest history among GOKADEN and five Japanese sword forging techniques. The blades forged by swordsmiths residing in Yamato region are generally called Yamato Mono. 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). Fuchi-Kashira This Fuchi Kashira has a simple design, so please enjoy its elegant color and the texture of the material. It matches well when it is put into the handle. According to the certificate, the Koshirae of this Tsurugi is categorized as the Aikuchi Koshirae (合口拵). This type of Koshirae does not have the Tsuba, and the Koikuchi (鯉口) fits directly with the handle. Tsuka and Menuki The motif of this Menuki is probably the cow and mouse. This combination reminds us of the Juunishi (十二支, the twelve signs of the Chinese and Japanese zodiac). There are various theories in the details of this legend, but the rough outline is that the twelfth animals that arrived early at the feast that God held on New Year’s Day were nominated the representative for the year. In this story, it is said the mouse moved to the destination riding on the back of the cow. Finally, the mouse arrived at the venue first, and the cow followed it. There is also an idea that the animals of the Juunishi were given meanings and characteristics to each. And some people have thought that these characteristics were reflected in the character of the people born each year. For example, the mouse represents the financial power, prosperity of descendants, and its character is said that it can act promptly. The character of the cow is said it is honest, has the power of perseverance, and works hard. This Menuki’s maker might have quoted this Menuki’s design from this story. Kozuka The Kogatana (小刀, small knife) is stored in the Kozuka. The motif of this Kozuka is the dragon which twists its slender body to fit in this elongated space. Initially, the dragon is an imaginary creature found in ancient traditions or myths. Furthermore, it is regarded as a symbol of auspicious signs. People have thought that the dragon would reign at the top of all animals due to its odd-looking appearance. If you focus on this dragon’s hand, you will find that it brings a ball-shaped object. It is probably the Nyoi Houju (如意宝珠, Cintāmaṇi). It is a fantasy jewel that fulfills any desire, gives out treasure, clothes, food, and drink. Moreover, it heals illness and suffering, removes evils, purifies muddy water, and prevents disasters. It is said this magical item is taken from the brain of the king of the dragon. Saya The bark of a cherry tree is used for this scabbard. It is a beautiful work with a distinctive texture created by nature. A flower design made of metal is applied to the part near the tip of the scabbard. This plant might be a peony. Please keep in mind that there is trace of restoration on the Koikuchi area( The tip of the scabbard). Authentication Paper They authenticated the blade on Feb 1st in the 13th year of Heisei (2001). They appraised it as Hozon Touken, the blade worth preserving for Japanese society. Its sword mounting(Koshirae) was also appraised as a Kicho Tosogu, an old form of the certificate on October 4th in the 47th year of Showa(1972).
金房派
室町
大和
無銘
保存 (NBTHK)
販売店の記載のまま
脇物 · 大和
現在9点販売中
金房派は、大和国奈良すなわち南都を本拠として室町末期から新刀期にかけて活動した一群である。説示によれば、金房某と銘する刀工が数多く知られて栄え、永正以降の年紀作をままみるという。同派の代表工としては政次があり、南都住金房兵衛尉政次と長銘を切る。ほかに政定が伝わり、南都住藤原朝臣金房左衛門尉政定作と銘し、永禄二年の年紀を有する作が知られる。大和の伝統的な五派との関係は明らかでないと説示は記しており、同地に拠りながらも別個の一派として隆盛をみたものと位置づけられる。同派に薙刀の遺例が比較的目立つのは、興福寺をはじめとする南都七大寺の僧兵の需要にこたえたものと説示は説く。 作風について説示が共通して挙げるのは、板目が流れて柾がかり、肌立つ鍛であり、地沸のつくもの、白気映りの立つものがみられる点である。刃文は、説示の一には直刃が最も多いとし、ほかにのたれや互の目を焼くと記すが、互の目調の大乱を主とする作も多く、腰の開いた互の目乱れに小足・葉のよく入るもの、足・葉が太く入るものが見受けられる。匂口は締まりごころとなるものを多く挙げ、一方で沈みごころとなるものにも触れる。帽子は乱れ込んで掃きかけ、先尖りごころに返るものや、やや長く焼き下げるものがある。造込みは身幅広く反り浅い大鋒の打刀姿を採り、末備前・末関などと共通する姿を示すと説示は述べ、薙刀造の作と併せて、実用に応じた一派の性格をうかがわせる。彫物には棒樋や倶利迦羅を施す例があり、茎は生ぶ、鑢目は勝手下りや筋違を交える。 鑑定にあたっては、柾がかって流れる板目鍛と、足・葉の目立つ互の目調の刃を要点とし、薙刀を含む実用本位の造込みを併せて見るべきものである。代表作としては政次の長大な薙刀があり、説示はこれを同派中の著名な一典型とする。政定の打刀には永禄の年紀と倶利迦羅の彫を備えた作が伝わる。なお薙刀には朱塗長巻拵などを附帯し、中身の製作に合わせて誂えられ、金具・塗りともそのままに保存される例もある。資料は僅少であるが、説示の記すところに従えば、金房派は大和奈良に拠りつつ伝統的な大和伝とは異なる作風を展開し、僧兵の需要を背景に薙刀と実用の刀槍を手がけた、室町末期を代表する一派として理解される。 詳しく見る →
銘が正しい、または無銘でも年代・国・系統を確実に指摘できる、保存に値する真正の作と鑑定されたものです。
日本美術刀剣保存協会（NBTHK）は、1948年に設立され、文化庁の監督を受ける公益財団法人で、東京・刀剣博物館に本部を置きます。専門の審査員が出品作を直接審査し、美術的・歴史的価値に応じた鑑定書を発行します。NBTHKの鑑定書は、日本刀および刀装具の真正性を示す最も広く認知された基準です。
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