H108293(S1503)
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Katana signed UJIFUSA (Wakasa-no-kami)

Koto End Muromachi period (ca Eiroku 13th /1569-) Owari
Length of cutting edge 65.1cm Curvature 2.0cm Width of base 31.7mm Width of Yokote 21.8mm Thickness of base 6.7mm

NBTHK(Tokubetsu Hozon) certificate


Blade construction: Shinogi-zukuri with an Iori-mune. Broad in Mihaba with ample Kasane and a pronounced curvature, culminating in an extended chū-kissaki, presenting an imposing and dignified structure. (See enlarged photograph of the blade)
Forging(Hada): Outstanding Itame-hada with sparkling Ji-nie well attached. Bold Itame grain is interwoven with prominent Chikei, forming a robust and resilient Jihada.
Temper(Hamon): Beginning with a Koshiba of large box-shape at the base, the Hamon transitions into Notare mixed with small Gunome. It displays variations in shape and width, incorporating Yahazu-like elements and pointed peaks, with Tobiyaki appearing in places. The pattern shows a tendency toward symmetry on both Omote and Ura. The Ha-fuchi is thickly covered in Nie, with frequent Sunagashi activities, while the interior of the hamon is filled with Nioi, bright and vividly clear.
Temper of tip(Boshi): Midare-komi, ending with a strong hakikake.
Tang(Nakago): Ubu, with one Mekugi-ana. The Yasurime are shallow katte-sagari, and the Mune side is flat, likewise bearing shallow katte-sagari file marks. Below the Mekugi-ana, along shinogi-ji, is a boldly cut two-character signatue, “Ujifusa” (氏房), executed with vigorous chisel strokes.

The first smith UJIFUSA 氏房, real name [Kawamura Kyouzaburo, the initial smith name KANEFUSA], was born in the 3rd year of Tenbun (1534) as the 3rd son of Seizaemon KANEFUSA in Gifu, Mino province. He officially was given the way of legitimate son of KANEFUSA from his elder brother Iwami-no-kami KUNIFUSA in the 2nd year of Kouji (1556) to chage his given name from Kyouzabuto to Seizaemon 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] and changed his smith name to UJIFUSA, then 3 days later he got an official district [Wakasa-no-kami] title granted by the Imperial Court (see Note1).
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 Honnō-ji (本能寺の変, Honnō-ji no Hen) referred to the forced suicide in the 21th day, the sixth month, the 10th year of Tensho (1582) of Oda Nobunaga, UJIFUSA returned to his home town Gifu with Oda Nobutaka's help then again came back to Kiyosu castle town under support of Sakuma Masakatsu. He passed away in the 11th day, the 5th month of Tensho (1590) at 57 years old.
This is the work of Wawkasa-no-kami UJIFUSA, in the peak of Warning States period while Oda Nobunaga decided crucial battle of ANEGAWA, Ishiyama Hongan-ji War and Siege of Mount Hiei. This Katana is his lifework which was made upon special demand from daimyo Oda Nobunaga himself or his vassal general Samurai in Owari domain then have been treasured in generations. This work preserves an Ubu Nakago with a fine, well-developed patina; the yasurime remain clearly defined, and the chisel strokes of the signature are still sharp and distinct. Retaining the vigorous, spirited form characteristic of the Sengoku warlords (see Note 2), it conveys to the present day the very sentiments and resolve that such a commander once entrusted to this blade as raised as Waza-mono (the best cutting performance).

Gold foiled double layer Habaki collar, preserved in Shira-Saya plain wood mounting
Recent top quality polish/Condition scale: excellent (using a scale of mint-excellent-very good-good-fair-poor).
reference sword: Katana signed Wakasa-no-kami UJIFUSA-saku The 8th month, 2nd year of Genki (1571)
(Note 1)
Though it may be but a minor conjecture, Ujifusa’s appointment to the court title of Wakasa no Kami (若狭守) took place on the 22nd day of the 4th month of Eiroku 13 (1570). The very next day, the era name was changed to Genki. As Ujifusa was appointed Wakasa no Kami on the day preceding the Genki era change—and since Oda Nobunaga had effectively brought Wakasa under his control in the Battle of Kanegasaki—it may be surmised that Ujifusa, enjoying Nobunaga’s particular favor, was granted this title through exceptional intercession by Emperor Ōgimachi.
(Note 2)
On the 26th day of the 9th month of Eiroku 11 (1568), Oda Nobunaga, aspiring to achieve tenka fubu (rule of the realm by military force), entered Kyoto under the banner of Emperor Ōgimachi. In the 4th month of Eiroku 13 (1570), acting as an imperial force, he mobilized approximately thirty thousand troops to subjugate the Asakura clan. Although he ostensibly raised his army in Kyoto under the pretext of punishing the Takeda clan, shugo of Wakasa, he bypassed Wakasa and advanced instead into Echizen, the territory of the Asakura.
Over the course of two days, the 25th and 26th of the 4th month that same year, he captured Kanegasaki Castle, compelling Asakura Kageakira to surrender and open the fortress. Tsuruga thus came under Nobunaga’s control, and Wakasa was entrusted to his retainer Niwa Nagahide. Advancing further toward the Asakura stronghold at Ichijōdani, Nobunaga learned of the betrayal of his brother-in-law, Azai Nagamasa, and realized he faced a pincer attack by the Asakura and Azai forces.
Nobunaga ordered Kinoshita Tōkichirō (later Toyotomi Hideyoshi) and Akechi Mitsuhide to serve as the rear guard and defend Kanegasaki Castle, while he himself withdrew toward Kyoto via Wakasa with only a few dozen mounted soldiers. By the 6th day of the 5th month, the forces of Hideyoshi and Mitsuhide had also safely returned to Kyoto. On the 9th, the Oda army departed the capital to return to their stronghold at Gifu Castle.
After escaping the peril at Kanegasaki, Nobunaga engaged in both military and political decisive struggles with the Azai and Asakura clans, ultimately destroying both houses. Through campaigns such as the Battle of Anegawa (Genki 1, 1570), the Ikko-ikki uprising at Siege of Ishiyama Hongan-ji, and the burning of Mount Hiei in Genki 2 (1571), he advanced toward and ultimately achieved the unification of the realm.
reference data : Owari Tōkōfu Iwata Atou 1985 Publisher : Nagoya city Board of Education