A659(S1303)
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Katana signed Takada MORITSUGU-saku with) Black Ro-iro lacquered scabbard Uchikatana Koshirae

Koto End of Muromachi period (Tenbun era / circa 1532-54) Bungo
Length of cutting edge 66.6cm Curvature 2.0cm Width of base 29.9mm Width of Yokote 25.0mm Thickness of base 8.1mm

NBTHK(Hozon)certificate

with) Black Ro-iro lacquered scabbard Uchikatana Koshirae



Blade construction (kengyo) : Shinogi-zuruki, Iori-mune. Wide in Mihaba for the length. There is less degree of tapering from base to point leading to an extended large Kissaki..(click HERE for high resolution of the blade photograph)
Forging pattern (kitae hada) : Kitae hada is conspicuous Itame with Mokume hada and flowing Masame hada is perceived along boundary line.Chrystallized Ji-nie (hard metal granules over the surface) sparkles clearly against thick lines of Chikei (darkish Nie lines) activity. There gives off diffused reflection of Yubashiri that appears on Hiraji surface.
Tempering pattern (hamon) : Hamon makes up undulating Notare mixing with small Gunome, Togari-ha and Cloves outline. It starts with a bit on stronger side Nie then upper Monouchi becomes tight Ko-Nie base. Hamon boundary line activates with isolated UCHINOKE and TOBIYAKI. The interior of temper is filled with deep NIOI mist and bright dots of YOU.
Temper of tip (boshi) : Temper of Boshi forms irregular Gunome blaze up indication then small circle turns back.
Tang (Nakago) : The heel of Nakago was slightly cut off and cutting edge is shortened Machiokuri also.Yasurime is shallow slanting left (katte-sagari) file marks. Three Mekugi-ana peg holes. The inscription signature in front is fine character that starts the place of work Takada 高田 and smith name MORITSUGU-saku 盛次作..

Ancient times in Bungo province (now in Oita pref.) of 12th century, the famed sword smiths monk SADAHIDE 定秀 or YUKIHIRA 行平 had come out, then for a long ages in 14th century of Nanbokucho period, smith TOMOYUKI 友行 appeared in Takada town.
TOMOYUKI 友行 is the famed sword maker for the founder of Bungo Takada school in medieval period. According to a classic, TOMOYUKI 友行 had learned Soshu-Bizen school technique in Osafune, Bizen province and also took lessons from SADAMUNE 貞宗 in Kamakura, Soshu province.
Extra long Tachi unsigned Bungo TOMOYUKI 豊後友行 which has belonged since Bunmei 2 (1470) to Ōyamazumi Shrine 大山祇神社 is a monumental work of TOMOYUKI and is designated as a national treasure.
On after Muromachi period, Bungo Takada school has been called "Taira Takada" ever since the smith NAGAMORI 長盛 of Takada lineage named himself the Taira clan.On after Azuchi Momoyama period fo Shinto age, the smith TOMOYUKI 統行 had recovered the name of Fujiwara clan so that Takada works of Shinto period is commonly named named alias "Fujiwara Takada".
The workmanship of Tadada school is wide ranged with a composite of the major schools of Bizen, Soshu, Yamashiro and Yamato and many of TAKADA swords deserve the great praise of Supreme sharp "Yoki-wazamono" cutting peformance.
According to the directory of NINONTO MEIKAN, the subject maker MORITSUGU 盛次 was lived in Takada (now in Oita pref.) and extant works with the earliest date of year is Meio 3rd (1493), active untill Tenbun era (-1554) said in provisional 2nd generation.
The subject majestic Katana is stountly-built and extremely thick in Kasane on base. There is a bit on deeper side Saki-sori upper curve for fast drawing from the scabbard and the volume of Shinogi-ji is shaved off toward the back ridge of Mune that is designed for the supreme cutting performance. Forging is well-kneaded Itame and Mokume-hada ware where diffused sparkling Ji-nie glitter attaches forms Yubashiri or Nie-utsuri reflection. Inscription signature is full of classical grace 500 years ago.

with) Black Ro-iro lacquered scabbard Uchikatana Koshirae (click HERE in front /HERE for the other side and HERE for each fitting)
  • Fuchi/Kashira : Dragon on clouds design, Shakudo ground, Nanako-ji surface, Takabori carving, Gold Iroe, unsigned
  • Menuki : Dragons design, Shakudo ground, Katabori carving, Gold inlay
  • Tsuba : Wakamatsu pine leaves design, Iron ground, Mokko shape, Brass inlay, Heian-jo, unsigned
  • Tsuka : White rayskin, Nando-iro (indigo blue) silk cord Moro-tsumami-maki style lozenge warp
Excellent polish/Condition scale : very good (using a scale of mint-excellent-very good-good-fair-poor).
Silver foiled copper ground Habaki collar, preserved in a Shirasaya plain wood mounting
reference data : Honma Kunzan / Ishii Masakuni NINONTO MEIKAN Yuzankaku, 1975