T150394(S2058)
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Katana signed signed Bungo-no-kami Minamoto MASATOMO

Shinto early Edo period (Kanbun era/1664-) Owari
Length of cutting edge 71.1cm Curvature 0.9cm Width of Base 32.3mm Width of Yokote 21.5mm Thickness of base 7.3mm

NBTHK(Tokubetsu Hozon)


Blade construction: This is the brave Katana owned by an Owari Samurai warrior in matchless valor. Mihaba is wide and the Nagasa measures around 71cm holding a shallow Sori but the blades tapers in a bit strongly that ends in medium Chu-kissaki. It is assumes that this construction is due to preferences in swordsmanship for thrusts rather than for cuts. (click HERE for super sized image of entire blade)
Forging(Hada): Kitae is fine Mokume-hada. The entire skin of Hiraji shows sparkling martensite crystals of Ji-nie to generate darkish gleaming lines of Chikei activity.
Temper(Hamon): Hamon of boundary line starts with short straight Yakidashi on base then picturesque tall Gunome and tassel-shaped Choji-midare. Some of Clove heads split onto Hiraji to generate isolated Tobiyaki. Hamon is a bit stronger side Nie base and ravine of boundary line is covered with stronger side sparkling martensite crystal of Nie and the interior is filled with mist-like Nioi. The entire Hamon is flamboyant active with sparkling Nie and misty Nioi.
Temper of tip(Boshi): Hamon of Boshi becomes calm straight of undulating Notare then medium circle turns back.
Tang(Nakago): UBU in original. One Mekugi-ana retaining hole. Takanoha V-shape filemarks. Round shape bottom heel of Kurijiri. Back ridge is a bit contoured with greatly slanting left of Ōsujikai filemark. The large inscription signature in an unrestrained manner along Shinogi-suji starts with with an official title of Bungo-no-kami 豊後守, name of clan Minamoto 源 and the name of smith MASATOMO 正全.

The smith MASATOMO(MASAYASU) 正全, real name Ishida Zen'zaemon 石田善左衛門 in Owari (present Nagoya) was born in Keicho 15th (1610) (note). He was descended from MASATOSHI 正利 of Itakura-Seki 板倉関 school from Koto Muromachi period. After apprentice himself to the Mishiha school 三品派 of an experienced master Igano-kami KINMICHI 伊賀守金道 in Kyoto, he had set up his own studio at Teppomachi town, in Owari Nagoya to serve for Owari-Tokugawa clan.
He obtained Bungo-daijo title 豊後大掾 from the Emperor in kanbun 4th (1664) then soon updated to Bungo-no-kami 豊後守 when he was 50 years old. Also he was awarded as the "Wazamono" for its sharp cutting performance in the list of "Ko-kin Kaji-biko" 『古今鍛冶備考』 issued by the swordsman Yamada Asa'uemon 山田朝右衛門.
The subject brave Katana features a rather on the longer in Nagasa, wider side in Mihaba and very thick in Kasane in volume to perform superb thrusts performance that is referred as Kanbun-Shinto-style 寛文新刀姿. The most impressively flamboyant Hamon is rated very highly even in among similar works from 17 th C in central Owari domain.
Tang of Nakago remains excellent taste of patina in 350 years. Vibrant inscription signature is full of energy.
Gold foiled Habaki collar, preserved in Shirasaya plain wood mounting with Sayuagaki writtedn by Dr. Kanzan.
Good polish/Condition scale: excellent (using a scale of mint-excellent-very good-good-fair-poor)
reference data :
(1) Iwata Ato, Owari-To-ko-fu, 1984
(2) Ishii Masakuni/Honma Kunzan, Nihonto Meikan, Yuzankaku, 1975
(note) : According to his work signed and dated year Bungo-no-kami Minamoto MASATOMO (MASAYASU) In the 8th month, Enpō 2nd Aged 63 years old, his birth is understood in Keicho 15 (1610)