This is a Katana signed by Izumo-no-kami Fujiwara Ujisada, dating from the late Koto period (Muromachi, Tenshō 5 / 1577–) and originating from Mino/Owari province. The blade features a powerful Shinogi-zukuri construction with a lively Notare hamon and a distinctive Gohei-shaped notch on the tang. It comes with an NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon certificate.
Certificate reading — 銘 出雲守藤原氏貞作
NihontoWatchBETAmei · Muromachi · nagasa 68.5cm · sori 1.5cm
Mino-den · Mino · around 1573-1592
Fujishiro Chu-jo saku · Tōken Taikan top 31%
4 pieces on the market now
Ujisada is traditionally regarded as the son of the first-generation Wakasa no Kami Ujifusa of Seki in Mino province, and as the younger brother of the second-generation Wakasa no Kami Ujifusa. Active during the closing decades of the Muromachi period, with dated works spanning from Tensho 3 (1575) through Tensho 7 (1579), he occupied a distinguished position within the Sue-Seki group. He received the court title Izumo no Kami and signed variously as Sakon Shosho, Sakon Gonshosho, and Gonshosho. The sobriquet "Ikoku Ujisada" is said to have been bestowed in praise of the superb quality of his workmanship, an appellation reportedly arising when a discerning warrior requested one of his blades in preference to a sword from another province.
In the usual style of this smith, one finds a forging texture showing a combination of tight ko-itame with a masame-inclined character, and a temper that forms a gently undulating, shallow and broad notare, into which hako-shaped elements are mixed -- features that well display the characteristics of the Sue-Seki group and in particular of the Ujifusa line. His works range from katana exhibiting large notare that hardens into o-midare with tobiyaki assuming a minayaki-like character, to tanto bearing notare mixed with gunome in which slight ashi and yo enter with a tightening nioiguchi, according well with the transmitted manner of his master. Among tanto, many works bear skillfully executed carvings, placing "grass" kurikara or horimono such as gomabashi with rendai -- a hallmark of the line.
Across the body of designated works, the NBTHK repeatedly observes that Ujisada's blades "clearly display the characteristic features of this smith" and that the workmanship in both ji and ha is excellent. His finest pieces are distinguished by brightness and clarity in the steel -- both jihada and temper described as saeru -- to such a degree that one designated example is characterized as giving an impression that could be mistaken for a superior work by Kotetsu. The consistent presence of dated inscriptions among his surviving works adds documentary value to an oeuvre that stands as a representative achievement of late Seki craftsmanship.
Where Ujisada stands among comparable artisans: across all of nihontō, and within tradition, era, and period. The tiers (Foremost · Leading · Major · Notable) weigh official designations from the NBTHK and Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs, together with historical honors of lasting repute such as the Sansaku and Meibutsu-chō.
Select a lens to see how it's measured.
Years he was demonstrably active, proven by signed-and-dated blades
Mino-den · Mino
145 pieces on the market now
Seki (関), in Mino Province, grew from two roots set down in the Nanbokuchō period and rose to become the great center of mass sword production in the late medieval age. Learn more →
| Smith | Era | Designated |
|---|---|---|
| Kinju金重 | 1340-1346 | 45 |
| Ujifusa氏房 | 1596-1615 | 16 |
| Kaneyuki金行 | 1350-1352 | 10 |
| Ujifusa氏房 | 1571-1592 | 9 |
| Kanekore兼之 | 1504-1555 | 7 |
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 siteFor a return, please contact us within 7 days of the item's arrival. If specification changes such as dimensions were made at the customer's request, a return cannot be accepted. Shipping and transfer fees are the customer's responsibility.
This is a Katana signed by Izumo-no-kami Fujiwara Ujisada, dating from the late Koto period (Muromachi, Tenshō 5 / 1577–) and originating from Mino/Owari province. The blade features a powerful Shinogi-zukuri construction with a lively Notare hamon and a distinctive Gohei-shaped notch on the tang. It comes with an NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon certificate.
Certificate reading — 銘 出雲守藤原氏貞作
NihontoWatchBETAmei · Muromachi · nagasa 68.5cm · sori 1.5cm
Mino-den · Mino · around 1573-1592
Fujishiro Chu-jo saku · Tōken Taikan top 31%
4 pieces on the market now
Ujisada is traditionally regarded as the son of the first-generation Wakasa no Kami Ujifusa of Seki in Mino province, and as the younger brother of the second-generation Wakasa no Kami Ujifusa. Active during the closing decades of the Muromachi period, with dated works spanning from Tensho 3 (1575) through Tensho 7 (1579), he occupied a distinguished position within the Sue-Seki group. He received the court title Izumo no Kami and signed variously as Sakon Shosho, Sakon Gonshosho, and Gonshosho. The sobriquet "Ikoku Ujisada" is said to have been bestowed in praise of the superb quality of his workmanship, an appellation reportedly arising when a discerning warrior requested one of his blades in preference to a sword from another province.
In the usual style of this smith, one finds a forging texture showing a combination of tight ko-itame with a masame-inclined character, and a temper that forms a gently undulating, shallow and broad notare, into which hako-shaped elements are mixed -- features that well display the characteristics of the Sue-Seki group and in particular of the Ujifusa line. His works range from katana exhibiting large notare that hardens into o-midare with tobiyaki assuming a minayaki-like character, to tanto bearing notare mixed with gunome in which slight ashi and yo enter with a tightening nioiguchi, according well with the transmitted manner of his master. Among tanto, many works bear skillfully executed carvings, placing "grass" kurikara or horimono such as gomabashi with rendai -- a hallmark of the line.
Across the body of designated works, the NBTHK repeatedly observes that Ujisada's blades "clearly display the characteristic features of this smith" and that the workmanship in both ji and ha is excellent. His finest pieces are distinguished by brightness and clarity in the steel -- both jihada and temper described as saeru -- to such a degree that one designated example is characterized as giving an impression that could be mistaken for a superior work by Kotetsu. The consistent presence of dated inscriptions among his surviving works adds documentary value to an oeuvre that stands as a representative achievement of late Seki craftsmanship.
Where Ujisada stands among comparable artisans: across all of nihontō, and within tradition, era, and period. The tiers (Foremost · Leading · Major · Notable) weigh official designations from the NBTHK and Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs, together with historical honors of lasting repute such as the Sansaku and Meibutsu-chō.
Select a lens to see how it's measured.
Years he was demonstrably active, proven by signed-and-dated blades
Mino-den · Mino
145 pieces on the market now
Seki (関), in Mino Province, grew from two roots set down in the Nanbokuchō period and rose to become the great center of mass sword production in the late medieval age. Learn more →
| Smith | Era | Designated |
|---|---|---|
| Kinju金重 | 1340-1346 | 45 |
| Ujifusa氏房 | 1596-1615 | 16 |
| Kaneyuki金行 | 1350-1352 | 10 |
| Ujifusa氏房 | 1571-1592 | 9 |
| Kanekore兼之 | 1504-1555 | 7 |
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 siteFor a return, please contact us within 7 days of the item's arrival. If specification changes such as dimensions were made at the customer's request, a return cannot be accepted. Shipping and transfer fees are the customer's responsibility.
