Edo was the sword’s age of connoisseurship: the Hon’ami appraisers, the shogunal register of famous blades of 1719, and a thriving literature turned the sword into an object of study even as it ceased to be drawn in war.
NihontoWatchNihontoWatchThis blade is attributed to Koyama Munetoshi (固山宗俊), who was active during the late Edo period (1854-1868). He was born in Shirakawa domain in Mutsu province (today’s Fukushima prefecture) and was a member of the family of Koyama Munetsugu (固山宗次), a swordsmith who also lived in Shirakawa. His master Koyama Munetsugu (固山宗次) was said to be one of the most popular and famous swordsmiths in Edo city during the end Edo period. Munetsugu first served Shirakawa Matsudaira (白河松平家) clan as Hanko (藩工:retained swordsmith). After Matsudaira clan was ordered to relocate to Kuwana domain (Today’s Mie prefecture), Munetsugu became a swordsmith for that domain. However, he eventually settled in Edo city from the second year of the Koka era (1845) by working for Matsudaira clan of the Kuwana family. The swords which were forged by Munetsugu have been known for their sharpness. There are many records of his swords passing the test cutting process (Tameshigiri). Therefore, he was in the service of the Matsudaira Hisamatsu family, the lords of the Shirakawa domain. Also, he was such an excellent swordsmith that he is also known as the best of the Bizen-den swordsmiths in the end of the Edo period. The style of Koyama Munetoshi (固山宗俊)’s sword is similar to that of Munetsugu in terms of the shape of the Nakago and so on. Also, it is said that Munetoshi sometimes forged the swords which surpassed the quality of the swords forged by his master Munetsugu. This blade is appraised as a Hozon Touken (保存刀剣) issued by NBTHK (Nihon Bijutsu Touken Hozon Kyokai: 日本美術刀剣保存協会). Fuchi-Kashira Wave (波: Nami) is depicted on this Kashira. The wave pattern represents eternity, immortality, longevity, birth, etcetera as waves’ movements continue endlessly. Also, since tides repeatedly change the shape and terrain of rocks, some people hoped for a strong will by using this motif. People used this pattern wishing for an indomitable spirit to rechallenge time and time without giving up. Thanks to its dynamic design, this motif has been appreciated, especially for men’s Kimono (traditional Japanese costume). Tsuka and Menuki The theme of this Tsuka and Menuki is Niwatori (鶏: rooster and hen). You would see two Niwatori having golden cock combs. In ancient times, this bird was used for rituals to offer to gods. It is said this is why the chicken pattern was incorporated into family crests. As this bird tells the arrival of morning, people regard it as the Ake-no Tori (明けの鳥, bird of the dawn). Also, chickens have been treated as auspicious birds because they sing at first in the new year. In another theory, there is a wordplay: Yoikoto-wo “Tori”komu (良いことを取り込む, “take” good things). This Tori (取り) and Tori (鳥, bird) are associated based on the common pronunciation. Some people believe that this bird would bring a plentiful harvest or success in business. This Menuki design might have been chosen due to these ideas. Tsuba and Habaki We assume the theme of this Tsuba is the Snow ring(雪輪: Yukiwa). It is considered snow is the sign of a plentiful harvest. Especially if snow in the New Year, people thought that year would have a bumper crop. According to a theory, the snow crystal pattern itself was born in the Muromachi period (1336-1573), and people started incorporating it as a motif of family crests since the Edo period. Date Masamune (伊達 正宗, 1567-1636), who is well-known Samurai and is often called as Dokuganryu (独眼竜, one-eyed dragon). He used several family crests, and one of them has a snow ring motif. Authentication Paper They authenticated the blade on Dec 15th in the 5th year of Reiwa (2023). They appraised it as Hozon Touken, the blade worth preserving for Japanese society.
Offered by Samurai Museum
As written by the shop
Mutsu · around 1860-1861
2 pieces on the market now
The Edo period (1615 to 1868)
Edo was the sword’s age of connoisseurship: the Hon’ami appraisers, the shogunal register of famous blades of 1719, and a thriving literature turned the sword into an object of study even as it ceased to be drawn in war.
Certifies a genuine blade worth preserving: a signature confirmed correct, or, if unsigned, an era, province, and school that the NBTHK can reliably identify.
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 siteReturns/exchanges limited to defects caused by shipping (except willful misconduct or gross negligence by the company); customers must contact within 72 hours of receiving the product.