(transmitted from Kuki clan)
with) Katana unsigned Sue-Bizen (handed down as Sukesada work)
NBTHK(Tokubetsu Kicho) Kodougu
NBTHK(Hozon) Token
click HERE in front view ・HERE in rear view ・HERE for each fitting
Metal fittings (kabutokane, Sarute, Fuchi, Ashi-kanamono, Kashiwaba, Ishizuki) : Shichiyo family crest, Shakudo Nanako-ji, Takabori carving, Gold inlay, unsigned
Menuki : Shichiyo family crest in triple katabori carving, Gold Iroe
Tsuba : AOI shape, Shakudo Nanako-ji ground, Gold Iroe Mimi edge, a pair of Ō-seppa Shichiyo family crest Shakudo Nanako-ji grouond Takabori carving, Gold Iroe, Shiho Inome Openwork, unsigned
Scabbard : Gold Pearl of Inlay Gold-foil-inlay Gold-makie
Tsuka : Brocade cover, Gold silk cord Hiramaki style lozenge wrap
overall length : 97.5cm
Koto end of Muromachi period (Tensho era circa 1573-) Bizen
Length of cutting edge 67.8cm Curvature 2.3cm Width of base 29.0mm Width of Yokote 19.5mm Thickness of base 6.2mm
From it's scabbard entrance to the end of Ashi-kanamoto area is covered by brocade then colored silk cord wrap so called "Watari-maki". All those metal fittings are made in Shakudo ground, Nanako-ji pattern and fully decorated with family crest in gold inlay. Tsuba is AOI-shape that consists of a pair of large Ō-Seppa which is fully decorated with family crest also then medium and small Seppa collars (those are copper ground gold foiled) then adds a Shakudo ground jet-black Seppa. Scabbard is decorated with gold pearl of inlay or Ikake-ji lacquered and arranges with family crest by either way of Gold-foil-inlay Gold-makie.
The subjects Itamaki-tyle Tachi fitting is a sublime work of art which is transmitted from the famed navy Kuki clan who hold a fief of 36,000 koku rice. Evey single composition remains an original mint condition even incidental Katana has been treasured by generation descendant of Kuki families ever since founder KUKI Yoshitaka
Katana unsigned attributed a work of Sue-Bizen (handed down as Sukesada work)
Sugata(configuration) : Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune. There is well-proportion Sori curvature leading to an elongated medium tip. (click HERE for super sized image)
Kitae(forging pattern) : Kitae-hada is conspicuous Itame wooden grain marks mixing in swirling large Mokume along cutting edge some indication of Masame straight grain marks is perceived. Conspicuous forging marks Chikei generates from an abyss of steel against sparkling Ji-nie hard metal granules.
Hamon(tempering pattern) : Hamon is Nie based Gunome-zigzag, where temper quenching line is covered with thick sparkling Nie granules and works with rich activities of Nie such as thick lines blushing lines so called Kinsen or Short thinner lines of Sunagashi.
Boshi (tip): The temper of the tip undulating Notare to form medium circle turns back.
Nakago(tang) : Unsigned Suriage partially shortened, Slanted left (Katte-sagari) filemarks and bottom is Horizontal Kiri heel. Two Mekugi-ana peg holes.
Original gold foiled Tachi-Habaki (additional newly made gold foiled tachi-Habaki attached) preserved in newly made Shira-saya plain woord mouting (an old Shira-saya attached)
reference : HONMA Kunzan, ISHII Masakuni, Nihonto Meikan, Yuzankaku, 1975
