Y3585(W3391)
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Wakizashi signed Chikuzen-ju Minamoto Nobukuni YOSHISADA with) Blue fragment pearl of inlay scabbard wakizashi koshirae

Shinto Early Edo period (Kanbun era/circa 1661-) Chikuzen
Length of cutting edge 54.4 cm Curvature 1.4cm Width of base 31.9mm Width of Yokote 24.7mm Thickness of base 7.1mm

NBTHK(Hozon) certificate

with) Blue fragment pearl of inlay scabbard wakizashi koshirae

 

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Blade construction: Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune. Mihaba is wide and thick in Kasane, scarce taper and upper fukura swells out. It holds well balanced moderate sori leading to the enlongated Chu-kissaki. Entire blade is rich in Hinaniku volume and solidly heavy in hand. (click HERE for higher resolution image of the entire blade)
Forging(Hada): Forging mark is conspicuous, strong itame marks. Steel gives off the impression of sparkling hard metal granules "Ji-nie" and darkish thick lines of Nie so called "CHIKEI" activity wells out from steel.
Temper(Hamon): Hamon is on rather stronger side Nie hard metal granules base, starts with Kyo-style straight yakidashi on base, flamboyant large Ō-midare of gunome outline in which interior of temper is filled with mist-like crystallize area and active of dense Nie foot of ashi and abundant Sunagashi lines of Nie appears. Some quenching lines of hamon reaches to Shinogi-suji and breaks splashing into Hiraji that generate "Tobiyaki" and creates nearly "Hitatsura" impression. The entire temper gives off vividly bright.
Temper of tip(Boshi): Temper of boshi forms straight O-maru outline then medium circle turns back deeply.
Tang(Nakago): The heel of Nakago is UBU original with one retaining peg hole. Round kurijiri heel in full and horizontal kiri filemarks, the back ridge of Nakago is slight-rounded contour with O-sujikai filemarks. The inscription nearly on Shinogi-ji starts from the place of work Chikuzen-ju 筑前住, name of clan Minamoto 源, school name Nobukuni 信国 then name of smith YOSHISADA 吉貞.

The sword smith YOSHISADA 吉貞, the 12th generation of NOBUKUN-lineage in Chikuzen province appeared under the protection of the daimyo Kuroda Nagamasa 黒田長政 during late Azuchi-momoyama and early Edo period.
Chikuzen NOBUKUNI schools that consists of YOSHISADA 吉貞, branch of the elder son YOSHIMASA 吉政 and the 2nd son of YOSHITSUGU 吉次 had been prospering to belong exclusively to the Kuroda feudal lords throughout Edo period.
The subject wakizashi is judged as the work by 2nd generation YOSHISADA 吉貞 who is said the 3rd son or grandson of founder YOSHISADA 吉貞. He changed his smith name to SHIGESADA 重貞 in his later years. The number of extant works by the swordsmith YOSHISADA 吉貞 is comparatively small since they did't work for commercial activities for the other domains but exclusively made for the domestic retainers of Kuroda clan. Passed away in the 14th day, the 9th month, Enpo 3 (1675).
This wakizashi just has been fresh polished in this exhibition. Heroically wide in Mihaba, solidly heavy in hand and framboymant Hamon with abundant Nie that belongs to Soshu technique. However some grain opening wares of (1),(2) appear against Itame-hada that would be caused during the forging process with different nature of steel to represent the Chikei activity. On this occasion of fresh polish, some slight darkish dots at cutting edge (3),(4) being intentionally remained in order to preserve the original width and rich hiraniku volume of the blade. Those defects are well eliminated and revitalized well-done.
The original Blue pearl fragment of inlay scabbard Wakizashi koshirae consists of :(click HERE for entire koshirae/HERE for each metal fittings)
  • White rayskin black silk cord Tsumami-maki style lozenge wrapped hilt
  • Fuchi/Kashira : Autumn flower grasses, bugs design, Shibuichi copper alloy, polished surface, Takabori, Iroe inlay, unsigned
  • Menuki : Kiku flower design, Yobori carving, Iroe inlay
  • Tsuba : Bamboo/Ume tree and a catfish design, Iron ground openwork
  • Kozuka : Peony design, Shakudo Nanako-ji, Takabori carving, Iroe inlay, signed Tsuji Masataka (seal) 辻政孝（花押）
Double layer copper Habaki (lower foiled with silver/upper polished copper), preserved in Shirasaya plain wood mounting.