Description
12/16/20 – This is an absolutely stunning example of a Japanese sword made between 1661-1673. The sword comes with two sets of certification paperwork – one is older and the other is done under the new Japanese system. Seventeenth century Japanese sword with two Society for the Preservation of Japanese Art Swords (NBTHK) Nihonto Origami (Japanese Sword Authentication Papers). The older ÄúBlue PaperÄù certificate is from an earlier rating system (1973 Äì 1982) and grades the blade as Koshu Tokubetsu Kicho (Extraordinarily Precious); the newer ÄúYellow PaperÄù certificate is from the current rating system (1982 Äì Present) and grades the blade as Hozon (Worthy of Preservation). The tang is completely¬unaltered and signed by maker ÄúHitachi no kami Muneshige.ÄùMuneshige, a student of Tsuda Sukehiro, worked in Settsu (Osaka) during the period 1661 Äì 1673. He appears in the Kaiho Kenjaku (1797) listing of superior swordsmiths with a sharpness rating of Wazamono (Good). Muneshige is also included in FujishiroÄôs Nihon Toko Jiten (1935) listing which rates 1,500 swordsmiths; his work is evaluated as Chu-jo saku (Above Average). The workmanship exhibited in this blade is exceptional with no forging flaws and the curvature is unusually pronounced (measuring¬2.2 cm / 0.9 inches). The length of the blade remains unaltered with a cutting edge of 60.6 cm / 23.9 inches. The Hamon (tempered cutting edge)is¬Notare (gentle wave) with Tobiyaki (tempered spots outside the Hamon). The blade is housed in a traditional wooden storage scabbard (Shirasaya).
