Ordering Number: AS25572

Wakizashi in Shirasaya, with Koshirae (NBTHK Hozon Token)

Signature: Hida no Kami Ujifusa
飛騨守氏房

Shinto: Wazamono: Jyo Saku: Mino
(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku).
This blade ranks as Jyojyo Saku for Hida no Kami Ujifusa.
Habaki: Double-layered gold and silver habaki.
Blade Length: 30.8 cm (12.13 in).
Curvature: 0.2 cm (0.08 in).
Mekugi Hole: 2.
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.86 cm (1.13 in).
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.56 cm (0.22 in).
Sword Weight: 220 g.
Era: Edo period, around the Keicho era (1596-1615).
Shape: The blade has a relatively narrow width with solid thickness.
A bo-hi groove is carved on the omote side, and a suji-hi groove is carved on the ura side.
Jigane: The ko-itame hada is well forged, and the grain pattern is clearly visible.
The steel has a darkish appearance.
Hamon: Notare mixed with gunome-midare.
The boshi forms a small round turn-back with a deep kaeri.

Features: Hida no Kami Ujifusa was a swordsmith of the Mino tradition and the son of Wakasa no Kami Ujifusa.
He was born in Eiroku 10 (1567) in Noshu Seki.
His original name was Kawamura Isechiyo, later changed to Heijuro.
In Tensho 5 (1577), at the age of 11, he entered service as a page to Oda Nobutaka.
After Nobutaka’s death, he became a ronin.
In Tensho 12 (1584), he served under Sakuma Masakatsu, lord of the Kanie domain in Owari, but after Masakatsu’s downfall he moved to Kiyosu.
Around Tensho 17 (1589), he began working as a swordsmith.
In Tensho 20 (1592), he received the title of Hida no Kami.
Later, he relocated to Owari and became renowned as an Owari swordsmith.
While many of his works are known for vigorous styles, this piece is comparatively calm in character, with a bold and beautifully executed signature.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: Vertical round-shaped iron tsuba engraved with plum trees and decorated with gold and silver iro-e.
Menuki: Shishi lion design with gold iro-e.
Fuchikashira: Shakudo ground engraved with shishi lions and decorated with gold iro-e.
Saya (Scabbard): Ume-gawara style saya.
Kozuka: Shakudo nanako ground engraved with shishi lions and decorated with gold iro-e.
With kogatana signed: Yamashiro no Kami Kunikane.

Aoi Art’s Comment: Personally, I am fond of Hida no Kami Ujifusa as a swordsmith.
His works possess a dignified presence, and as a late-period smith, his blades never lose their appeal.
The healthy condition of this blade is also one of its attractive qualities.

NBTHK Hozon Token.
AoiArt estimation paper: Whole Oshigata.

Please note: The price does not include the international shipping fees.

Auction Starting Price:950,000JPY

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