This blade has been attributed to Norishige (one of Masamune's Ten Disciples, Ecchu Norishige) on the *Tokubetsu Kicho Token* certificate. Although both the province and period are the same, making it the highest attribution, it seems that the *Tokubetsu Kicho* certificate was not submitted for examination, resulting in this current state. We recommend submitting the *Tokubetsu Kicho* certificate as supporting documentation when aiming for a higher rank. The workmanship is clearly outstanding, with the characteristic *matsukawa-hada* forging of Norishige being well-pronounced. Furthermore, the flowing *o-itame hada* is tightly packed, with thick *ji-nie*, and fine *chikei* entering the forging. The *ko-nie* is thick, with *sunagashi* and *kinsuji* running through, showcasing a brilliant and masterful creation. The Uta school migrated from Uta County in Yamato Province to Ecchu. Kunimitsu around the Bunpo era in the late Kamakura period is considered the founder. Older works predating the Kamakura period strongly retain the characteristics of the Yamato tradition, exhibiting features such as *nie*-based *niju-ba* and *chigai-ba*. As it entered the Nanbokucho period, works incorporating the Soshu tradition into the Yamato tradition became visible, and works from the late Kamakura to Nanbokucho periods are collectively referred to as "Ko-Uta." It is said that the first generation Kunifusa learned the Soshu tradition from Norishige, incorporating the *matsukawa-hada* forging, which combines hard and soft steel, and the *nie*-based, vibrant *wazare-ba* tempering technique into the Yamato tradition of this school. Norishige has been counted as one of Masamune's Ten Disciples since ancient times and has been touted as a prominent disciple of Masamune. However, based on the style and period appearance, it is also said that he may have been a fellow disciple or senior disciple who studied under Shintogo Kunimitsu or Fujisaburo Yukimitsu. He is, needless to say, one of the greatest *koto* swordsmiths. *Nagasa*: (omitted) *Sori*: (omitted) *Mei*: *Mumei* *Shakudo*: (omitted) 598,000 JPY (Tax included)
NihontoWatchmumei · Late Kamakura (c. 1290) · nagasa 1cm · sori 3cm
Wakimono · Etchu
Phase: Ko-Uda古宇多· 1310–1394
6 pieces on the market now
Ko-Uda (古宇多) names the founding stratum of the Uda school, the work that does not descend later than the Nanbokucho period and so stands before the long Muromachi continuation that the same studio names would carry. The setsumei place the origin in Yamato: around the Bunpo era at the close of Kamakura, the monk-smith Ko-nyudo Kunimitsu left Uda District in Yamato and settled at Utsu in Etchu, and from him the lineage took root. Learn more →
| Smith | Era | Designated |
|---|---|---|
| Ko-Uda古宇多 | 1310-1360 | 50 |
| Kunifusa國房 | 1368-1375 | 17 |
| Kunimitsu國光 | 1362-1368 | 9 |
| Tomonori友則 | 1390-1394 | 4 |
| Kunitsugu國次 | 1356-1361 | 1 |
A Hozon-certified blade judged to show notably superior workmanship and a better state of preservation. The bar is higher: re-tempered blades and most unsigned Muromachi/Edo works are excluded.
The NBTHK (Nihon Bijutsu Tōken Hozon Kyōkai, the Society for the Preservation of Japanese Art Swords) is a public-interest incorporated foundation founded in 1948 and supervised by Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs (Bunkachō); it is based at the Japanese Sword Museum in Tokyo. Its expert panels physically examine each submitted work (shinsa) and issue a certificate (kanteishō) ranking it by artistic and historical merit. NBTHK papers are the most widely recognized standard of authentication for Japanese swords and fittings.
NBTHK official sitePlease notify us of your intention to return, by email or fax, no later than the day after the item's arrival. Return shipping, insurance, and refund transfer fees are the customer's responsibility.
This blade has been attributed to Norishige (one of Masamune's Ten Disciples, Ecchu Norishige) on the *Tokubetsu Kicho Token* certificate. Although both the province and period are the same, making it the highest attribution, it seems that the *Tokubetsu Kicho* certificate was not submitted for examination, resulting in this current state. We recommend submitting the *Tokubetsu Kicho* certificate as supporting documentation when aiming for a higher rank. The workmanship is clearly outstanding, with the characteristic *matsukawa-hada* forging of Norishige being well-pronounced. Furthermore, the flowing *o-itame hada* is tightly packed, with thick *ji-nie*, and fine *chikei* entering the forging. The *ko-nie* is thick, with *sunagashi* and *kinsuji* running through, showcasing a brilliant and masterful creation. The Uta school migrated from Uta County in Yamato Province to Ecchu. Kunimitsu around the Bunpo era in the late Kamakura period is considered the founder. Older works predating the Kamakura period strongly retain the characteristics of the Yamato tradition, exhibiting features such as *nie*-based *niju-ba* and *chigai-ba*. As it entered the Nanbokucho period, works incorporating the Soshu tradition into the Yamato tradition became visible, and works from the late Kamakura to Nanbokucho periods are collectively referred to as "Ko-Uta." It is said that the first generation Kunifusa learned the Soshu tradition from Norishige, incorporating the *matsukawa-hada* forging, which combines hard and soft steel, and the *nie*-based, vibrant *wazare-ba* tempering technique into the Yamato tradition of this school. Norishige has been counted as one of Masamune's Ten Disciples since ancient times and has been touted as a prominent disciple of Masamune. However, based on the style and period appearance, it is also said that he may have been a fellow disciple or senior disciple who studied under Shintogo Kunimitsu or Fujisaburo Yukimitsu. He is, needless to say, one of the greatest *koto* swordsmiths. *Nagasa*: (omitted) *Sori*: (omitted) *Mei*: *Mumei* *Shakudo*: (omitted) 598,000 JPY (Tax included)
NihontoWatchmumei · Late Kamakura (c. 1290) · nagasa 1cm · sori 3cm
Wakimono · Etchu
Phase: Ko-Uda古宇多· 1310–1394
6 pieces on the market now
Ko-Uda (古宇多) names the founding stratum of the Uda school, the work that does not descend later than the Nanbokucho period and so stands before the long Muromachi continuation that the same studio names would carry. The setsumei place the origin in Yamato: around the Bunpo era at the close of Kamakura, the monk-smith Ko-nyudo Kunimitsu left Uda District in Yamato and settled at Utsu in Etchu, and from him the lineage took root. Learn more →
| Smith | Era | Designated |
|---|---|---|
| Ko-Uda古宇多 | 1310-1360 | 50 |
| Kunifusa國房 | 1368-1375 | 17 |
| Kunimitsu國光 | 1362-1368 | 9 |
| Tomonori友則 | 1390-1394 | 4 |
| Kunitsugu國次 | 1356-1361 | 1 |
A Hozon-certified blade judged to show notably superior workmanship and a better state of preservation. The bar is higher: re-tempered blades and most unsigned Muromachi/Edo works are excluded.
The NBTHK (Nihon Bijutsu Tōken Hozon Kyōkai, the Society for the Preservation of Japanese Art Swords) is a public-interest incorporated foundation founded in 1948 and supervised by Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs (Bunkachō); it is based at the Japanese Sword Museum in Tokyo. Its expert panels physically examine each submitted work (shinsa) and issue a certificate (kanteishō) ranking it by artistic and historical merit. NBTHK papers are the most widely recognized standard of authentication for Japanese swords and fittings.
NBTHK official sitePlease notify us of your intention to return, by email or fax, no later than the day after the item's arrival. Return shipping, insurance, and refund transfer fees are the customer's responsibility.
