A47006(S3270)
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Katana signed Bungo-no-kami Fujiwara KUNIYOSHI Nanban-tetsu-wo-motte kore-wo tsukuru with) Black stone surface lacquered scabbard wickerwork and chrysanthemum Uchigatana Koshirae

Shinto Early Edo period (kanbun-Enpo era circa 1661-80) Wakasa
Length of cutting edge72.7cm Curvature1.1cm Width of base33.0mm Width of Yokote21.0mm Thickness of base7.5mm

NBTHK(Hozon) ceertificate

with) Black stone surface lacquered scabbard wickerwork and chrysanthemum Uchigatana Koshirae

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Blade construction: Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune. Kasane is thick, tall in Shinogi-ridge and massive volume in Hiraniku. Mihaba on base is wide and there is a moderate difference between base and tip with shallow curvature leading to a middle Kissaki. The bade construction is a typical example during Kanbun - Enpo (1661-80) period.(click HERE for higher resolution image of the entire blade)
Forging(Hada): Forging is conspicuous Itame, Mokume and flowing Masame ware on Shinogi-ji surface. Steel gives off darkish blue impression to cover with sparkling hard metal granules "Ji-nie" on Hira-ji surface.
Temper(Hamon): Hamon is middle Suguha and quench is relatively tight and bright with sparkling Nie, some indication of shallow wave, short Ashi feet and knob appears. The interior of temper is full of bright "Nioi" mist.
Temper of tip(Boshi): Boshi forms "SUGUHA" straight parallels to the Fukura curve.
Tang(Nakago): Nakago is in UBU original. One peg hole. Osujikai (greatly slanting left) with Kesho (horizontal) filemarks. Back ridge of Nakago is well-rounded contours with Osujikai (greatly slanting left) filemark. The inscription of Bungo-no-kami Fujiwara KUNIYOSHI 豊後守藤原国吉 locates below the peg hole along Shinogi-ridge and the reversed side is inscribed as Nanban-tetsu-wo-motte kore-wo tsukuru 以南蛮鉄造之 - forging steel adopted import steel.
Sword smith Bungo-no-kami KUNIYOSHI 豊後守国義 was born in Owari domain, as a second younger brother of the first generation Shinano-no-kami NOBUYOSHI 信濃守信吉. His elder brother is Awa-no-kami NOBUYOSHI 淡路守信吉 in Settsu, Osaka. NOBUYOSHI whose family name is TAKAI 高井 was closely related to MISHINA 三品 school in Kyoto and widely prospered both in Kyoto an Osaka.They often chiselled 16 petals of chrysanthemum flower on the Nakago.
The subject sword smith Bungo-no-kami NOBUYOSHI 豊後守国義 initially learned form his eldest brother Shinano-no-kami NOBUYOSHI 信濃守信吉 in kyoto, then became independent moving to Hikone city in Oumi domain and sometimes forged in Bushu, Edo to meet with special requirement of Samurais. In his later ages, he set up his studio in Obama, Wakasa domain.
The subject Katana, using the highly valued "Nanbantetsu" 南蛮鉄 an imported steel from Portugal or Spain, is extra long and wide on base with thick and massive volume - healthy heavyweight katana to show the typical shape during Kanbun-Enpo (1661-80) period. It has been believed that forging fine steel "Tamahagane" 玉鋼 from TATARA furnace to adopt the import steel results in more durability and performs better cutting ability and also rust preventive.
An original Stone surface black lacquered scabbard, a design of wickerwork pattern, chrysanthemum Koshirae fitting consists of : (click HERE for higher resolution images for each metal fitting)
Metal fittings (Fuchi,Kashira,Koikuchi,Kojiri) : Iron ground, a design of wickerwork and chrysanthemum
Menuki : ShakudoYobori carving, a design of Bird, Well bucket
Tsuka/hilt : White rayskin black silk cord wrap (there are some marks of tear off as time went by)
Tsuba : Iron ground openwork a design of Namako-sukashi(sea-cucumber), lozenge and pine leaves pattern on hammered surface.
Seppa : Copper/gold plated
Habaki : Copper ground single layer
Preserved in a Shira-Saya plain wood mounting
Old polish/Condition scale: excellent-very good (using a scale of mint-excellent-very good-good-fair-poor).
The entire blade has been well maintained, there are some marks of slight whitish stains and scratches over the surface as time went by.
reference data : Honma Junji, Ishii Nihonto Meikan Yuzankaku, 1975