K60546(W2893)
+Shipping

Wakizashi signed Tsushima-no-kami Fujiwara MUNETOSHI Auspicious day in the 8th month Kan'ei 20th

Shinto early Edo period (Kan'ei 20th / 1643) Owari
Length of cutting edge 44.8cm Curcature 1.2cm Width of base 36.5mm Thickness of base 6.2mm

NBTHK(Tokubetsu Hozon) certificate


Sugata(configuration) : Hira-zukuri, Ior-mune construction, The cutting edge measures rather on longer side 44.8cm. Exceedingly wide in Mihaba, thick in Kasane and a bit on deeper side in curvature and upper Fukura is swelling in full, where this geometry appears on the Momoyama period to perform the most supreme cutting ability as a supplementary usage for a long Katana.(click HERE for higher resolution image)
Kitae(forging pattern) : Kitae forging pattern is fine Ko-Itame hada where misty haze appears over Hiraji that elebates beauty of sword.
Hamon(tempering pattern) : Hamon quenching state is a bit on tighter in Nioi-deki Suguha with an indication of Notare undulating mixing of frequent short Ashi activity in the interior of temper.
Boshi (tip): Wide in temper at boshi forms small circle turns back deeply on the back ridge of Mune.
Nakago(tang) : The Nakago is an original UBU of which shape is a bit curved "Funazoko" ship-bottom shape and single bevelled heel. File marks "Yasurime" is slanting left "Katte-sagari" and the back ridge of Nakago is flat. Three Mekugi-ana retaining holes.
The entire Nakago preserves an excellent taste of patina from 382 years history. The inscription "Tsushima-no-kami Fujiwara MUNETOSHI" 対馬守藤原宗利 is engraved with bold and vigorous chisel strokes and the other side shows a historica material of the date of year "Auspicious day in the 8th month Kan'ei 20th" (1643) 寛永二拾暦八月吉辰.

In 1610, the construction of Nagoya Castle began and was completed over a period of four years. The ambitious relocation plan known as “Kiyosu Goshi,” which involved transferring over 120 temples and shrines as well as town names from the castle town of Kiyosu—then home to more than 60,000 residents—was a political feat that demonstrated the authority of Tokugawa Ieyasu to the entire nation.
In 1616, the first lord of the domain, Tokugawa Yoshinao, moved from Suruga to Nagoya Castle. With a vast fief of 620,000 koku, he firmly established the financial foundation of the Owari Domain, the foremost of the Three Tokugawa Branches.

The swordsmith “Tsushima no Kami Munetoshi” 対馬守宗利 mentioned in the title was a member of the so-called “Owari-Seki” school 尾張関, who relocated from Mino Province (Gifu) to Owari during the Momoyama period together with the first-generation "Omi no Kami Munetoshi" 近江守宗利, coinciding with the founding of Nagoya Castle. Through the mediation of Lord Yoshinao, they received imperial appointment titles as “Tsushima no Kami” 対馬守 and “Omi no Kam” 近江守 and their lineage prospered in the Owari Kaji-machi town for two generations.

The subject broadsword has an extended length with an exceptionally wide and thick in Kasane, forming a powerful figure, making it well suited for cutting — an impressive Danbira-zukuri style. The blade bears an inscription dated Kan’ei 20 (1643), the earliest known year among the works of this smith, making it a highly valuable reference piece. Likely commissioned as a companion sword to a katana, it vividly reflects the martial spirit and austere strength characteristic of Owari Samurai—a truly striking masterpiece.
There is an insignificant forging opening ware in the quenching Hamon at the striking point of Monouchi on the Omote side.
Recent elaborate polish/Condition scale: very good (using a scale of mint-excellent-very good-good-fair-poor).

Yamagane copper single layner Habaki collar, preserved in Shirasaya plain wood mounting
reference : Iwata Atou, Owari Toko-fu, Nagoya citry Board of Education, 1984