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Katana signed Yamato-daijo Fujiwara MASANORI-saku with)One-bu Notches Black Ro-iro lacquered scabbard Uchikatana Koshirae

Early Edo period (Gen'na era/1615-) Echizen
Length of cutting edge 61.5cm Curvature 1.0cm　Width of base 30.5mm Width of Yokote 21.8mm Thickness of base 6.8mm

NBTHK(Tokubetsu Hozon) certificate

with)One-bu Notches Black Ro-iro lacquered scabbard Uchikatana Koshirae


Blade construction (kengyo) : Shinogi-zuruki, Iori-mune, created in a one hand battle style, thick in Kasane and wide in Mihaba holding less degree of tapering to an extended middle Kissaki.The entire blade is full of majesty which was in circulation during very early Edo period. (click HERE for high resolution of the blade photograph)
Forging pattern (kitae hada) : Kitae hada is Itame in Hiraji whereas Shinogi-ji is created in Masame ware. The Hiraji surface is covered in sparkling Ji-nie (hard metal granules over the surface) with swirl Chikei (darkish gleaming lines) activity.
Tempering pattern (hamon) : Quenching area is a bit of thicker side in Nie, undulating Gunome that repeats regularly by stretching Togari-ha so called "San-bon-sugi", where pattern of both sides are well matching each other. The interior of temper is filled with foggy granules of Nioi where works with thick and frequent Nie ASHI feet toward the cutting edge and short lines of Nie "Sunagashi" appears crossing ASHI.
Temper of tip (boshi) : Temper of tip forms irregular pattern with medium circle turns back in a bit on deeper side.
Tang (Nakago) : Fish bottom Funazoko shape Nakago is UBU in original. Katte-sagari slanting left file marks, flat on the back ridge where shows Katte-sagari slanting left filemark also. V-shape (Kengyo) heel shape. One original retaining hole of Mekugi ana. There is clear chiselled small 9 character inscription that starts with the official district title granted by the Imperial Court Yamato-dai-jo 大和大掾, name of clan Fujiwara 藤原 and then smith name MASANORI-saku 正則作.

The power of Tokugawa clan decisively raised right after the historical victory in the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600. Yuki Hideyasu 結城秀康 - a 2nd son of Tokugawa Ieyasu 徳川家康 - was appointed an official feudal lord of Echizen (now in Fukui pref.) to built up defenses on the border from western enemies.
MASANORI 正則 who comes from Miyazu-town, Tango domain (now Miyazu-city, Kyoto) accepted an invitation to take up a post of an official sword maker to move to Fukui town, Echizen during Keicho era (1610's). The present-day town of Yamato in Ono Castle, Fukui Prefecture, was named after MASANORI's 正則 residential area and was given the official title of "Yamato-daijo" 大和大掾. He was therefore one of the greatest founders of Echizen sword makers who were active together with 1st gen. YASUTSUGU 康継.
According to a reference book Nihonto Meikan, there shows some records of the year made in Keicho 13(1608), Gen'na 2(1616), Kan'ei 4(1627), Keian 4(1651) and 2nd generation KASANORI 正則 was active during Kanbun era(1660-).

The subject stirring Katana is the sublime work by the 1st. generation MASANORI 正則 who enjoyed Yamato-daijo title 大和大掾 from the Emperor. Designed for the battle field with full of Samurai majesty spirits during early age of Edo period right after Tokugawa Ieyasu 徳川家康 took over the assumption of ruling power. Short in length was designed for fast draw, Shinogi-zukuri construction that holds thick in Kasane and massive volume in Hiraniku was designed for cutting through fully armed soldiers. Fine Itame forging ware of functional mixture with hard and soft fine steel was designed for durable construction.

MASANORI 正則 renowned for Superior made "Jo-saku" as artificial value and Supreme Sharp "Yoki-wazamono" cutting performance.This forged blade, with its exquisite sharpness, was the envy of Sengoku battle-age military commanders. Crafted in the spirit of martial excellence, it was prepared by Samurai in an experience of the Battle of Sekigahara in Keichi 5th (1600) and an anticipation of Shimabara Rebellion in Kan'ei 14th (1637).

This prominent Katana comes with a masterpiece mount of Koshirae
with) One-bu Notches Black Ro-iro lacquered scabbard Uchikatana Koshirae
(click HERE in front or HERE on the other side for entire Koshirae / click HERE for each fitting images)
  • Fuchi/Kashira : Plume grass design, Shakudo ground, Stone-surface, Takabori-carving, Gold iroe, unsigned
  • Menuki : Pine leaves and a Spider design, Shakudo ground, Katabori carving, Gold iroe
  • Tsuba : Plume grass design, Iron ground, rectangular oval shape, Nikubori carving, Open work, Gold/Silver inlay, signed KIGAN 亀眼
  • Tsuka : White rayskin, golden brown silk cord lozenge wrap
Gold foiled double layers Habaki collar.Shira-saya plain wood mounting includes
Good old polish/Condition scale: excellent (using a scale of mint-excellent-very good-good-fair-poor)
reference data : Honma Kunzan/Ishii Masakuni, Nihonto Meikan,Yuzankaku,1976