日本刀 刀 銘 守行（NBTHK 保存刀剣鑑定書付き）

附属品

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

Category

Katana (KOTO)

Age

The end of the Nanbokucho- early Muromachi period (1390-1427)

Location

Bizen province (Today’s Okayama prefecture)

登録証

Kanagawa 35621

販売店の記載のまま

This blade was signed by Bishū Osafune Moriyuki (備州長船守行) , who was a swordsmith of the Kozori (小反) branch of the Osafune School in Bizen Province, active from the Meitoku era (1390) through the Ōei era (1394–1428) during the late Nanbokuchō and early Muromachi periods. The Kozori branch generally refers to Osafune swordsmiths outside the Kanemitsu lineage. According to the Nihontō Meikan, there were two generations of swordsmiths who signed Moriyuki. This blade also features an orikaeshi-mei (折返銘), a rare and historically significant preservation technique. Many swords from the Kamakura and Nanbokuchō periods were later shortened (suriage) to suit changing styles of warfare and, in some cases, regulations introduced during the early Edo period. As a result, swords retaining their original signatures are exceptionally rare today. When Kozori swordsmiths were active in the Nanbokucho period, Japan was tumultuous because the imperial court was split into two sides (south and north). There were many conflicts, and many Samurai were deployed. And Kozori school must have dedicated themselves to forging high-quality blades for those Samurai who fought in battles. This History of Bizen Osafune School It is said that Osafune school was founded by Mitsutada (光忠), who was active during the mid-Kamakura period. Bizen Osafune school was the biggest one of all other schools in Bizen province, and they received many orders from feudal lords or renowned Samurai. They were called Osafunemono and were beloved by Samurai warriors. Among the swordsmiths who belonged to this school, Nagamitsu, Sanenaga, and Kagemitsu are known as Osafune Sansaku, the three renowned Osafune swordsmiths. There are also four other prominent swordsmiths who were from Bizen Osafune school. They are called Osafune Shiten-no, the four masters of Osafune school. Their names are Nagamitsu, Kanemitsu, Nagayoshi, and Motoshige. 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 the Yoshi River, where they could find water and charcoal. This geological location contributed to the swordsmiths forging 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 during the late Heian era (Late 12th century). These ancient swordsmiths in Bizen province are called Ko-Bizen (Old Bizen) swordsmiths. By inheriting the sword forging techniques from Ko-Bizen swordsmiths, the Bizen Osafune school flourished from the mid-Kamakura period. Tachi Koshirae This blade is stored in Tachi(太刀) Koshirae. Tachi was mainly used by an armored Samurai with one hand on horseback from the Heian period (794-1185 A.D.) until the early Muromachi period. TACHI was suspended loosely on the left waist with its edge facing the ground so that you could draw it faster to cut down soldiers on the ground. Because of its gorgeous looking, having a Tachi-style sword mounting became a social status among Samurai. It 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). *Please keep in mind that there are a few Kitae Kizu on the blade. Koshirae This type of Koshirae is called a Tachi-koshirae (太刀拵え), designed to be worn hanging at the waist. It is not intended for practical combat; instead, its purpose was to signify the authority and dignity of the Samurai who carried it, or the powerful figures they served. As a result, it is characterized by the luxurious decorations and colors. Fuchi-Kashira This Fuchi-Kashira features the Gosan no Kiri (五三の桐) motif. The Gosan-no-Kiri design, depicting paulownia leaves and flowers, has long been a popular and auspicious pattern in Japan. Historically, it was used by the imperial family and high-ranking authorities. Today, its use is permitted more broadly and it is widely appreciated as a family crest. Tsuka and Menuki The theme of this Menuki is the same as Fuchi-Kashira: Go-san no Kiri (五三の桐) crest. Tsuba and Habaki This Tsuba is made in a yotsu-mokkō-gata (四つ木瓜形) form, a classic outline derived from the rounded, lobed shape of a sliced gourd. At the four corners you can see inome (猪目, boar’s eye) cutouts, also described as inome-sukashi. Because of their curved point-and-lobe profile, they often look like small heart shapes at a glance, and they are not just decorative. Inome are widely used as an apotropaic motif, believed to help ward off evil and misfortune while also adding lightness and rhythm to the design. The plant-like motifs scattered across the surface are known as the Go-san no Kiri (五三の桐) crest. This design stylizes the leaves and blossoms of the paulownia tree and has long been associated with the Imperial court. It was later adopted by powerful military leaders, most notably Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and is widely recognized as a symbol of authority and prestige. The paulownia tree is also considered sacred, as it is said to be the tree upon which the mythical phoenix (鳳凰, hōō) alights. As such, the motif carries auspicious connotations of nobility and good fortune. In this piece, the scattered arrangement of these crests enhances both the decorative richness and the dignified character of the tsuba. Saya The Taiko Kanagu (太鼓金具) on this Saya is decorated with the Mitsuuroko family crest. The name Mitsuuroko comes from the way three connected triangles resembles the scales (uroko) of a snake, and ‘mitsu’ means three, so it came to be called Mitsuuroko (three scales). The motif has been used in Japan since ancient times and can even be seen in wall paintings from the Kofun period (古墳時代). It is well known for its protective, talismanic power against evil, and one of the most famous Samurai families to use this crest was the Hojo clan (北条氏). In addition, this Saya is finished woth Nashiji laquer (梨地塗り), a technique that creates a subtle, pear-skin texture with a softly shimmering surface, and decorated with Gosan no Kiri family crest (五三桐). Gosan-no-Kiri Monyou (五三の桐文様) is a popular design that the paulownia motif is used. This pattern was once used by the imperial family and people in authority at that time. Today, it is permitted to use by ordinary households and is appreciated as their family crests. According to a tradition, Houou (鳳凰, Fenghuang, a kind of sacred beast) rests its wings at the paulownia tree; therefore, it has come to be regarded as a holy plant. Authentication Paper They authenticated the blade on January 27th in the 24th year of Heisei (2012). They appraised it as Hozon Touken, the blade worth preserving for Japanese society.