H1594(W3220)
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Sun-nobi-Tanto signed MASASHIGE-saku (Senji) with) Urumi-nuri blurred dark red lacquered scabbard AIKUCHI-style Koshirae

Koto End of Muromachi period (Tenbun era a/ 1532 -) Ise
Length of cutting edge 31.2cm Curvature 0.3cm Width of base 30.0mm Thickness of base 5.9mm

NBTHK(TOKUBETSU HOZON) certificate
Published in Nihotn-to Zuikan Koto-edition
Published in Mie-ken Toko/Kinko directory

with) Urumi-nuri blurred dark red lacquered scabbard AIKUCHI-style Koshirae

Blade construction: Hira-zukuri extra long Sun-nobi-Tanto, Iori-mune in low, Kasane is a little on the thicker side and Mihaba on base is wide with a slight curve where upper Fukura area is swelling out. The entire shape gives off awe-inspiring power.(click HERE for higher resolution image of the entire blade)
Forging(Hada): Forging is conspicuous Itame mixing with entwined flowing ware. The surface shows moistened beauty of old elegance impression with sparkling glitter Ji-nie and whitish Utsuri reflection.
Temper(Hamon): Hamon is a bit on stronger side Nie hard metal granules base, large Gunome and a combided small Gunome to form box-shape outline where Hamon of both sides are well matching. The summit of Gunome-outline radiates sparkling reflection into the Hiraji surface so called Yubashiri and an isolated Tobiyali - splash temper into Hiraji surface. Upper the blade, stronger the Nie and deeper the Nioi where boundary line is more active with sparkling Nie and densed Nioi granules and interior gives off conspicuous Sunagashi and Kinsen lines.
Temper of tip(Boshi): "Jizou-boshi (side view of Jizou stone stature)" Hakikake Blaze up indication then deeply turns back.
Tang(Nakago): Nakago is in UBU original. Tanago-bara (Fish belly) shape. One peg hole Makugi-ana. Kiri (horizontal) filemarks. Back ridge of Nakago is fully countoured whereas the other side is sharp-edged. V-shaped (kengyo) heel shape. The thick and large chiselled inscription signature in front is three character that reads MASASHIGE -saku 正重作.

Senji school in Ise domain, Shimada school in Suruga domain and Shitahara school in Bushu domain, they played major roles of making swords in Tokaido main road since middle of Muromachi period. They became mostly active on after the Warning States period, when Major powerful clans such as Oda or Toyotomi in Owari, Tokugawa in Mikawa, Imagawa in Suruga, Takeda in Kai and Houjo in Odawara began rise to power.
The founder of Senji 千子 school, MURAMASA 村正 is said, a son of KANEMURA 兼村 in Akasaka, Mino domain moved to Kuwana, Ise domain
From the recognized works of 1st gen. MURAMASA with the date of year, the oldest work is Genki 1, (1501) and lived in Higashikata, Kuwana-city. MURAMASA family had been active up to 3rd generation, till Tenbun (1532-1554) period.
MASASHIGE 正重 is said as a son, son-in-law or pupil (not been proven yet) of 1st gen. MURAMASA. The 1st gen. was active in Eisho(1504-1520) and 2nd gen. was activate during Tenbun(1532-1554). MASASHIGE played the leadership faction of Senji school to meet with special demands from powerful clans.
This is the work of 2nd gen. MASASHIGE to show close resembles to the Soshu works of the ancient top articles by HASABE 長谷部 or SHIZU 志津. The workmanship of 2nd gen. of MASASHIGE, in compare with ones of MURAMASA in the same age, Blade is usually larger in size and Hamon is full of variety and Extravagant shape of tang "Fish-belly" in fully swelling with emphasized V-shape heel. The peculiar signature manner by fist character MASA 正 is extremely right-up.
This MASASHIGE 正重 itself was carried and reported as one of the representative works in the book of Nihonto-Zuikan Koto-edition and Mie-ken Toko/Kinko Directory also.

with) Urumi-nuri blurred dark red lacquered scabbard AIKUCHI-style Koshirae comprising :
(click HERE for Koshirae FRONT / HERE for the other side and HERE for the entire image of koshirae fitting)
  • All metal fittings (Fuchi/Kashira Koikuchi, Kurikata and Kojiri) : KIRI Karakusa design, Shakudo Nanako-ji surface, Takabori carving, Gold Iroe unsigned
  • Menuki : Ichi-hiki KIRI design, Shakudo Nanako-ji surface, Takabori carving, Gold Iroe
  • Kozuka : Ichi-hiki KIRI design, Shakudo Nanako-ji surface, Takabori carving, Gold Iroe unsigned
  • Tsuka hilt : Black lacquered rayskin, Gold silk cord Moro-tsumami-maki style lozenge warp
Gold foiled double layer habaki collar(silver ground upper lauer is gold foiled), Preserved in a Shira-Saya plain wood mounting.
An old good polish/Condition scale: excellent (using a scale of mint-excellent-very good-good-fair-poor).
reference data:
HONMA Junji/Satou Kanichi, NNIHONTO TAIKAN KOTO-HEN 3 Otsuka Kogei sha April 15, 1969
SATO Kanzan Ise-no Toko,Otsuka Kougei sha May 10, 1963
KATAOKA Ginsaku Nihonto Zuikan, Yamagata printing 1982
TABATA Norio Mie-pref. TOKO/KINO Directory 1989