Description

Weight (blade only): 909g It has arrived; a masterpiece reminiscent of Minamoto Kiyomaro has arrived. Although this katana is mumei, it has been appraised as the work of Unju Nobukazu, who is famous as the hanko of the 19,000-koku Kuki family—the descendants of the famous Kuki Suigun (navy) of Ise-Shima Toba and the Ayabe Domain in Kyoto. Unju Nobukazu was a student of the famous master smith Unju Korekazu, who was employed by the Shogunate; his real name was Kato Nobukazu, and he also forged swords in Azabu, Edo. This katana was made around the Ansei era (1856) at the end of the Edo period (170 years ago), during the height of Minamoto Kiyomaro’s activity. This was exactly the time when the American Harris opened the consulate in Shimoda, and this was likely a special order for a daimyo-class lord. For a high-ranking personage's order, two swords would often be made just in case; the better of the two would be delivered, and the other would be withheld. This is likely a kageuchi (shadow-forged) blade that was issued mumei from the beginning out of modesty. The sugata of this katana is identical to Minamoto Kiyomaro, with a thick moto-kasane, wide moto-mihaba, and wide saki-mihaba. It features a large kissaki with a shaved-down mune, presenting a magnificent and powerful sugata that looks as if it would cut exceptionally well. The jigane is a finely packed ko-itame hada with abundant ji-nie, forged into a bright, high-quality steel. The hamon is in nioi-deki with deep ko-nie, featuring gunome-ba and gunome with pointed heads, fired brightly and magnificently. We have received this blade from an old collector with the request to pass it on at a low price to someone who will cherish it. The Showa 26 (1951) Daimyo Registration from Nagano Prefecture is also significant, as it is the birthplace of Minamoto Kiyomaro, suggesting a fated connection. Please enjoy this magnificent masterpiece appraised as Unju Nobukazu, a mumei blade specially ordered to perfectly resemble Minamoto Kiyomaro.

無銘 運寿信一(うんじゅのぶかず)(源清磨写) Unju Nobukazu
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無銘 運寿信一(うんじゅのぶかず)(源清磨写) Unju Nobukazu

Katana

¥450,000

Specifications

Nagasa

66.4 cm

Sori

1.7 cm

Motohaba

3.49 cm

Sakihaba

2.7 cm

Dealer

Nipponto

nipponto.co.jp