A58786-7(S2229) Daisho set of Katana and Wakizashi signed Mikawa-koku-ju Fujiwara MOTOHISA-saku Spring, Showa 59	NBTHK(HOZON)
Contemporary sword (the 59th year of Showa/1984) Aichi Katana : Length of cutting edge75.0cm Curvature2.0cm Width of base34.6mm Width of Yokote24.2mm Thickness of base8.0mm Wakizashi : Length of cutting edge56.3cm Curvature1.4cm Width of base33.9mm Width of Yokote26.3mm Thickness of base8.3mm
Blade construction: Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune. Thick in Kasane. Mihaba is exceedingly wide and there is less difference between the base and upper area, leading to the large tip. There are parallel Bo-hi grooves on both sides. The shape of both katana and wakizashi are heroically made and heavy on hands.(for higher resolution image - click HERE of Katana and HERE for Wakizashi) Forging(Hada): Forging is fine Itame-hada indication with sparkling Ji-nie hard metal granules over the surface with subdued CHIKEI(hard metal granules) activity. Temper(Hamon): Hamon starts with short Yakidashi, forms long foot clove outlines (Ashi-naga Choji). Clove quench outline is thickly covered in an uniform sheet of Ko-nie (hard metal granues) and the frequent clove feet radiate into the cutting edge. The interior is filled with mist-like crystalliae area (Nioi) with Kinsen (bright curved threadlike areas) and Sunagashi (thick lines of nie). The entire temper is full of flamboyant impression. Temper of tip(Boshi): Temper of boshi is a Gunome on Yokote ridge then becomes straight indication with irregular lines of Nie, medium circle turns back gently. Tang(Nakago): Nakago is in UBU original. One peg hole. Slanting left (Sujikai) with Horizontal Kesho filemarks. Back ridge of Nakago is flat with Slanting left (Sujikai) with Horizontal Kesho filemarks. The signature in front is nine character that starts from the place of work Mikawa-koku-ju 三河国住 and the name of clan Fujiwara 藤原 and smith name MOTOHISA-saku 元久作. The another side is chiselled the date of year Spring, the 59th year of Showa (1984). These are the complete set of Daisho (Katana and Wakizashi) made by the famed sword smith Motohisa 元久 , real name Hashimoto Isao 橋本勇男 in Gamagori city in Mikawa(Aichi) province. He was born in October 2, 1934 as a son of sword smith TAKENORI 武則 who belongs to Ishido Korekazu 石堂是一 school. He learned from his master TAKENORI 武則 since Showa 25 (1950) and got the licence of the official sword maker from the Agency of Cultural Affairs in November 1, Showa 42 (1967). Member of NBTHK(Japanese sword preservation society and museum) and All Japan sword smith association. He got Nyusen awards as much as 27 times in the Modern Sword Contests held by NBTHK to know that he is one of the representative expert sword smiths in Showa period. He sometimes chisels the clan name Fujiwara proudly on Nakago for those works of his satisfaction, especially on the custom-made fine art swords like these examples. Both Katana and wakizashi are made magnificently upon special demand to know these are almost perfect examples of his best works when he was 50 years old while his technique has matured greatly. Gold foiled habaki collar, preserved in Shira-saya plain wood mountings. Original skilled fine polish/Condition scale: excellent (using a scale of mint-excellent-very good-good-fair-poor).