S54152(T5701)
+Shipping

Tanto signed Noushu-seki UJIFUSA with)Gold pearl of inlay KIKU-mon crest Kiri-karakusa high relief Makie scabbardAikuchi Koshirae

Koto end of Muromachi period (Genki era/circa 1570-) Mino/Owari
Length of cutting edge 29.0cm Curvature 0.2cm Width of Yokote 27.0mm Thickness of base 4.7mm

NBTHK(Tokubetsu Hozon) certificate

with)Gold pearl of inlay KIKU-mon crest Kiri-karakusa high relief Makie scabbard Aikuchi Koshirae




Blade construction: on-side Hira the other Shobu-zukur. High ridge of Iori-mune, Kasane is a bit on thinner side and wide in Mihaba on base with a less degree of tapering from base toward the swelling upper Fukura area. The Shinogi-ridge on the one-side Shobu zukuri is high that shaved off toward the back ridge. Full of majesty that comes from current of the Momoyama period, end 16th century.(click HERE for higher resolution image of the entire blade)
Forging(Hada): Forging is conspicuous Itame and Mokume hada mixing with entwined flowing Masame indication mostly along area of Mune back ridge. The steel is covered with sparkling martensite particles of Ji-nie that glows pronounced thick gleaming lines of Chikei activity.
Temper(Hamon): Hamon is fine Nie hard metal granules base, starts with short Yakidashi on base, undulating Notare and roundish elements of Gunome outline mixing with Togari-ha and Box-like shaped Hakoba. The upper boundary line shows some indication of double-temper of Ni-ju-ha and interior is filled with martensite crystals of Nioi in full where short lines of Sunagashi and darkish gleaming line of Kinsen appear. The entire boundary quenching line is sparkling brightly in the bluish fine steel.
Temper of tip(Boshi): Boshi is irregularly Midarekomi into flames up indication then deeply turns back that generates side view of Jizou stone stature.
Tang(Nakago): Nakago is in UBU original. One Mekugi-ana peg hole. Ō-Sujikai (greatly slanting left) filemarks. Back ridge of Nakago is flat Kurijiri round heel shape. The signature in front is five large character that starts with work of place Noushu-Seki 濃州関 then smith name UJIFUSA 氏房.

The first smith UJIFUSA 氏房, real name [Kawamura Kyouzaburo 河村京三郎, the initial smith name KANEFUSA 兼房], was born in the 3rd year of Tenbun (1534) as the 3rd son of Seizaemon KANEFUSA 清左衛門兼房 in Gifu, Mino province. He officially was given the way of legitimate son of KANEFUSA 兼房 from his elder brother Iwami-no-kami KUNIFUSA 岩見守国房 in the 2nd year of Kouji (1556) to chage his given name from Kyouzabuto 京三郎 to Seizaemon 清左衛門 then moved to Seki town, Mino province.
In the 19th day, the 4th month, 13th year of Eiroku (1570) he enjoyed the official title of [Kiyozaemon-no-shuoi 清左衛門少尉] and changed his smith name to UJIFUSA 氏房, then 3 days later he got an official district [Wakasa-no-kami 若狭守] title granted by the Imperial Court.
He won the praise from the daimyo Oda Nobunaga to exclusively belong to him. In the 5th year of Tensho (1577) he moved to Azuchi castle town in Oumi province along with Oda Nobunaga to work exclusively as a vassal.

After the Incident at Hon'nō-ji (本能寺の変, Hon'nō-ji no Incident) referred to the forced suicide in the 21th day, the sixth month, the 10th year of Tensho (1582) of Oda Nobunaga, UJIFUSA 氏房 was compelled to return back to his home town Gifu with Oda Nobutaka's help then again came back to Kiyosu castle town under support of Sakuma Masakatsu.
Passed away in the 11th day, the 5th month of Tensho (1590) aged 57 years.

This is the prominent work in his prime days Genki era (1570's) in his maturity thirties in the peak of Warning States period while Oda Nobunaga 織田信長 decided crucial battle of ANEGAWA, Ishiyama Hongan-ji War and Siege of Mount Hiei.
The one-side Hirazukuri- style configulation was designed to aim at working well for cutting, whearas the other sinded Shobu-zukuri construction is performing well for thrusting through the openings of armor or helmet. Such an unique construction was made upon special demand from vassal general Samurai who placed under Oda Nobunaga in Owari domain and been treasured in generations.
Nakago holds an excellent taste of patina and remains clear filemark and chisel of typical signature of UJIFUSA 氏房 which has been praised as Waza-mono (the best cutting performance) and Jo-jo-saku (above superior made) artistic value.

with) Gold pearl of inlay KIKU-mon crest Kiri-karakusa high relief Makie scabbard Aikuchi Koshirae
(click HERE for Koshirae front and HERE for the other side / HERE for each fitting)
  • Kasa-menuki : KIKU and KIRI crests design, Shakudo Katabori carving, Nanako-ji surface, Gold iroe
  • Kozuka : Kiri-karafusa design, Shakudo Nanako-ji surface, Takabori carving, Gold Iroe, unsigned
  • Tsuka : White ray-skin wrap
Gold foiled single habaki collar, preserved in Shira-Saya plain wood mounting
Recent polish/Condition scale: excellent (using a scale of mint-excellent-very good-good-fair-poor).

reference data : Owari Tōkōfu Iwata Atou 1985 Publisher : Nagoya city Board of Education