NihontoWatchSummary This blade was signed by Suo Koku Jyunin Nagahiro (周防国住人永弘) in August, the second year of the Keio era (1866: The end of the Edo period). The signature also says “彫同作,” meaning the same swordsmith created the engraving. Suo Koku is the name of the domain he lived in when he forged this blade. It is located in today’s Yamaguchi prefecture. Jyunin means the person who lives there. He was an apprentice of Yokoyama Kaganosuke Sukenaga (横山加賀介祐永) first. He then moved to Suo Koku after mastering excellent craftsmanship from his master. He was active during 1860-1872. He was one of the most renowned swordsmiths in the Choshu region (Yamaguchi prefecture) during the late Edo period. He served Mori clan, a prestigious feudal line that lasted many generations. His master (Yokoyama Kaganosuke Sukenaga) Bizen Osafune Jyu Sukenaga(備前長船住祐永) is one of the most famous swordsmiths in Bizen province at the end of the Edo period(Bakumatsu). Born as the second son of Yokoyama Sukehira, he belonged to the Yokoyama school in Bizen province(today’s Okayama prefecture). He eventually became the head of this school. He called himself the 56th-gen of Tomonari, a renowned swordsmith in the mid-late Heian period in Bizen province. He received Kaganosuke, an honorable title in the fourth year of the Tenpo era (1833). He was allowed to inscribe a chrysanthemum emblem, which is the symbol of the Japanese emperor. His sword forging technique was so great that the emperor allowed him to use this emblem, which was respectable for any swordsmiths. The Engraving You can find the engraving of a Tsurugi (Double-edged blade) and dragon. This blade is Kurikaraken, which is the sword that Fudo Myo-O (不動明王, acalanātha) holds with his right hand. Fudo Myo-O is one of the objects of worship in Buddhism. According to a theory, it is the incarnation of Dainichi Nyorai (大日如来, Mahāvairocana, the principal image of esoteric Buddhism). Kurikara-ken was named after its appearance that Kurikara Ryu-O (倶利伽羅龍王, dragon) is winding around the sword. It is believed Kurikara-Ken could cut off worldly desires: Sandoku (三毒). Sandoku is the three fundamental human desires; Ton (貪, greed), Jin (瞋, anger, grudge), Chi (癡, delusion, complaint). The dragon itself is also a popular theme for decorating the Japanese sword. In Japan, people appreciate the dragon design as an all-purpose auspicious pattern. The other side has the letter of Fudo Myo-o(不動明王）in Sanskrit. This god was also known as a god of wars. Samurai believed in the power of this god, so they put decorations of this god on either armor or samurai sword. Horimono Kurikara Ken and Dragon Authentication Paper They authenticated the blade on Feb 5th in the 53th year of Showa (1978). They appraised it as Koshu Tokubetsu Kicho Touken, an old form of the certificate.
Offered by Samurai Museum
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Suo · around 1865-1868
Tōken Taikan top 60%
1 piece on the market now
The Edo period (1615 to 1868)
Under the Tokugawa peace the daishō became a regulated uniform, and demand gathered in the castle towns, above all Edo itself. The craft split two ways: brilliant display work for connoisseurs, and tested blades whose cutting results were sometimes inlaid in gold.
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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