Muromachi turned sword making into an industry: the uchigatana rose with massed infantry warfare, Osafune and Seki produced bundle swords beside custom orders, and the Ming trade carried Japanese blades abroad by the tens of thousands.
NihontoWatchNihontoWatchAntique Japanese Sword Tanto Attributed to Hiroga with NBTHK Tokubetsu Kicho Certificate 【Description】 Summary This blade is attributed to Hakushu Hiroga (伯州廣賀) during the late Muromachi period ( Early-Mid 16th century). Hiroga is a prestigious school divided into two branches; Saono (道祖尾) and Mita (見田). Hakushu, also known as Hoki no Kuni, was located in today’s Tottori prefecture. Saono (道祖尾) School Saono school was established by the first-gen Hiroga, who originally had learned sword-forging techniques from swordsmiths in Soshu province. After mastering a particular sword-forging tradition called SOSHU DEN, he created his workshop near Sano temple in today’s Tottori prefecture. That is why this school used Saono as its school name. Those who belonged to this school were active during the mid-Muromachi- mid-Edo period (1469-1681) in a village called Kurayoshi Kaji Machi (倉吉鍛冶町) in Hoki province. Mita (見田) School Mita school was founded later than Saono school. It is said that Heibei Hiroga created the school during the late Muromachi period (1504-) and lasted until the early Edo period. This school was located in a village called Tsuhara. The maker’s name Hiroga lasted a few generations during this period. It is said that the founder was an apprentice of Soshu Tsunahiro (相州綱廣), a famous swordsmith in Soshu province (Today’s Kanagawa prefecture). This blade was made in a warring state period (Sengoku Jida) when there were so many rivalries among feudal lords to expand their territories and gain political influence. It has an interesting structure called Moroha Zukuri (諸刃造り), which has two edges on both sides but has a different shape on each side. *Please keep in mind that there are a couple of black rust spots on the tip of the blade. If you like to see the detailed condition, please feel free to contact us. 【Blade】 Cutting Edge Length(Nagasa) : 17.8 cm ( 7.0 inches) Curvature(Sori) : 0 cm (0 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 because it prevents red rust while the tang is in its handle. And the discoloration of the tang was created over time, and it 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), Kozuka. Fuchi-Kashira : A pair of matching sword fittings that cover the upper and bottom parts of its sword hilt. This Fuchi Kashira is decorated with pine tree designs, and gold-colored paint is applied to them. Although there is partial fading, it remains relatively in good condition. Since pine trees keep their green color throughout the years by withstanding severe heat and cold, people thought this plant pattern represents eternal youth. FIn addition, its color is called the Tokiwa-Iro (常盤色, evergreen trees’ dark green color with brown), and pine trees have another name Tokiwa-Gi (常盤木). Tokiwa means immutability, so Tokiwa-Iro is a color that praises green with a wish for longevity and prosperity. There are many types of pine tree patterns, and they are used in various things. The beauty of pine tree patterns and the auspiciousness associated with the habits of pine tree might be why people have loved it for so long. Tsuka and Menuki : Tsuka is the handle of the Japanese sword and Menuki is its decoration. Seeing from the gaps of the Tsukamaki thread, this Menuki’s motif is a Tsuba (鐔, hand guard). We cannot see its details, but it seems a kind of plant pattern is designed on it. Tsuba and Habaki : Tsuba is the handguard for the Japanese Sword and Habaki is the equipment to make the blade not touch its scabbard inside. It prevents the blade from get
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Hoki · around 1504-1521
Tōken Taikan top 37%
The Muromachi period (1392 to 1573)
Muromachi turned sword making into an industry: the uchigatana rose with massed infantry warfare, Osafune and Seki produced bundle swords beside custom orders, and the Ming trade carried Japanese blades abroad by the tens of thousands.
This work carries older NBTHK “Kichō”-era papers, which the NBTHK no longer issues and largely disavows today. To confirm the attribution, submission to an official Japanese examination body (such as the NBTHK or NTHK) for modern certification could be considered.
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