Ordering number:24103
Katana in Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)
Signature: Bizen Suke Fujiwara Munetsugu
Bunkyu 3 Nen 3 Gatsu Hi (March1863).
備前介藤原宗次
文久三年三月日
We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku, and Regular Saku. This piece is ranked as Jyo Jyo Saku for the works of Bizen no Kuni Fujiwara Munetsugu.
Habaki: Single gold foil
Blade Length: 74.2 cm (29.21 in)
Curvature: 1.2 cm (0.47 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base: 3.15 cm (1.24 in)
Width at Tip: 2.11 cm (0.83 in)
Thickness of Rim (Kasane): 0.86 cm (0.34 in)
Sword Weight: 890 grams.
Era: 1863, March (1863) in the late Edo period.
Shape: Wide and thick blade with a slightly extended tip. Detailed and dense carvings on both sides.
Jigane: Fine ko-itame hada well kneaded with visible landscape, and exquisite polish. Although Munetsugu’s jigane usually shows plain hada, this work reveals well-drawn hada thanks to the top-grade polishing.
The carvings are of the highest quality, resembling a piece I purchased in the USA. This work has passed as a Juyo Token and is listed in the Nihonto Densho Volume 2, page 192 by Professor Homma Kunzan. The carvings feature more than just dragon motifs; they include bo-hi (grooves).
Carved with the intention of creating motifs, leaving a few centimeters of healthy yakiba (tempered edge).
Hamon:Nioi Deki, Gunome Midare with a sharp tip and return.
Features: Munetsugu was born in Mutsu Shirakawa as the brother of Kiyoyama Munehira and was called Munehira. He later forged swords for the Shirakawa Matsudaira family and followed the lord to Kuwana. In 1841, he moved to Edo and began swordsmithing. It is believed that he was quite famous at the time, and many samurai ordered swords from him. Many of his works are signed by the owners, showing their widespread distribution. Munetsugu’s creations generally exhibit no faults and demonstrate his high skill level.
Koshirae:
Tsuba: Mokko-shaped iron tsuba inlaid with gold and silver patterns, with characters inside.
Fuchikashira: Not specified.
Saya: Dark brown with extremely small patterns.
Menuki: Likely pure gold with dragon motifs.
Kogatana: Signed “Kiyonaga”.
Kozuka: Iron with gold colored painting.
Sekigane: Two copper pieces covered with gold.
Aoi Art’s Comment: Kiyoyama Munetsugu was a very strict craftsman who did not sign his name on any unsatisfactory work. According to one book, when Kiyomaro moved to Munetsugu’s neighborhood, he did not greet him, and Munetsugu challenged him to a duel. This piece retains a healthy yakiba and is polished with the highest technology, showing excellent activity in the hamon. This is truly a highly recommended piece by Bizen no Kuni Fujiwara Munetsugu, the highest grade of his work. The koshirae is likely pure gold highlighted and is an exquisite example of one-piece koshirae.
NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon paper
Aoi Art estimation paper
Whole Oshigata
Auction Starting Price:3,500,000 JPY
商談中 HOLD
