A27003(S838)
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Katana signed Hōki no Kami Jū-dai Mago Fujiwara NOBUTAKA In the 2nd month, Meiji 2nd with) Black Stone surface lacquered scabbard Uchikatana Koshirae

Shin-Shintō early Meiji period (Meiji 2 / 1869), Owari
Length of cutting edge: 70.5 cm　Curvature: 1.2 cm　Width at base: 32.2 mm　Width at Yokote: 26.0 mm　Thickness at Base: 6.7 mm

NBTHK(Tokubetsu Hozon) certificate

with) Black Stone surface lacquered scabbard Uchikatana Koshirae


Sugata: Shinogi-zukuri with Iori-mune. A broad Ō-kissaki Katana with a relatively shallow curvature, showing less degree of tapering in width from the base toward the point. The Hira-ji is wide in rerative to the Shinogi-ji and the blade culminates in an imposing Ō-kissaki, giving the sword a powerful and majestic appearance. (Full blade photograph)
Jitetsu: The Itame-hada is somewhat standing out, producing a robust and vigorous steel surface richly covered with sparkling Ji-nie.
Hamon: Beginning with shallow straight Yakidash at the base, the Hamon rises high into a broad ō-midare, incorporating Gunome, pointed elements, and Chōji. Coarse Nie forms along the Habuchi while Yubashiri extends into the Ji and isolating Tobiyaki appear here and there.
Bōshi: Extra large tip.High tempering is maintained on both sides, with two Gunome forms, terminating in a pointed Ko-maru turn-back.
Nakago: original Ubu. The Yasurimei are Kesho-yasuri in greatly slanting Ō-Sujikai strokes. The Ha-agari kurijiri heel is swelling in full. The Mune side is well contour formed and also bears Kesho-yasuri in greatly slanting Ō-sujikai strokes. One Mekugi-ana. On the Omote, along the Shinogi ridge, is the boldly executed long signature “Hōki no Kami Jū-dai Mago Fujiwara NOBUTAKA” 伯耆守十代孫藤原信高, while the Ura bears the date inscription “Meiji Ni-nen Ni-gatsu Hi” 明治二歳二月日(In the 2nd month、Meiji 2nd / 1869).

　During the final years of the Edo period, Japan became politically divided between the Shogunate-supporting (Sabaku) and Imperial Loyalist (Kinnō) factions in response to pressure from Western powers demanding the opening of the country. Following the restoration of imperial rule in 1867, Japan entered the Boshin War (1868–69) and subsequently the Satsuma Rebellion (1877). During this final and greatest period of Samurai-class uprisings, demand for katana increased, and particularly imposing blades terminating in large Ō-kissaki came into vogue.

　The tenth-generation Hōki no Kami Nobutaka 伯耆守十代信高 was named Kawamura Kunzaburō 河村邦三郎 (国三郎). As a hereditary swordsmith serving the Owari domain, he succeeded to the family name and became the tenth-generation Nobutaka in Ansei 3 (1856).

　With its broad Mihaba and powerful Ō-kissaki, this katana possesses a bold and vigorous form that was finely forged in response to special demand during the Boshin War (1868–69). The robust Itame-forged Jigane is richly covered with thick Ji-nie, producing a brilliant surface, while Chikei emerge along the grain of the itame hada. The splendid Hamon, consisting of a great irregular temper pattern accompanied by Yubashiri and Tobiyaki, conveys to the present day the proud spirit of the Owari Samurai and is a fitting expression of the culmination and perfection of the sword-making tradition of the late Shogunate era. This katana is listed reporting in the Owari Tōkōfu (Genealogy of Owari Swordsmiths).

Mountings: Black Ishimeji Lacquered scabbard Katana Koshirae (Full koshirae photograph · Photographs of individual fittings)
  • Fuchi-kashira: Shakudō Nanakoji, Migaki-koberi, unsigned
  • Menuki: Dragon and spiny lobster motif, Shakudō, katabori carving
  • Tsuba: Openwork design of four-sided mokkō with karahana flower motif, iron ground, Gold inlay, unsigned, Shōami school
  • Tsuka: White lay-skin Samegawa, Dark blue silk cord Morotsumami-maki lozenge wrap
Yamagane single-layer Habaki Preserved in Shirasaya
References:
Iwata Ataru, Owari Tōkōfu (Genealogy of Owari Swordsmiths), Nagoya City Board of Education, 1984.
Ishii Masakuni and Honma Kunzan, Nihontō Meikan ,Yuzankaku, 1975
(note) The 1st generation Houki-no-kami Fujiwara NOBUTAKA伯耆守藤原信高, real name Koumura Saemon 河村左衛門, born in Eiroku 4 (1561), Kamiuchi town, Mino province (now Matsumori, Mino-city).
He moved to Seki-Kaji town in Kiyosu in the early years of Tensho (1573-) and stood high in master general Oda Nobunaga's 織田信長 favor and was granted the part of name Nobu 信 also obtained the official district title of Houki-no-kami 伯耆守 from the Imperial Court in Tensho 9 (1581) at the young age of 21.
He had moved to Seki-Kaji town in Owari (now in Marunouchi 3 chome, Naka-ku, Nagoya) in Nagoya castle relocation , the 2nd month, Keicho 15 (1610) in order to serve exclusively for Tokugawa Yoshinao 徳川義直, Owari Tokugawa clan.