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Overview·Dated Works·Designations·Provenance·Blade Forms·Signatures·School
OverviewDated WorksDesignationsProvenanceBlade FormsSignaturesSchool
  1. Schools
  2. Seki
  3. Ujisada

Seki Ujisada

氏貞

Jūyō
Vol. 44, No. 33 · Katana

Seki Ujisada

氏貞

5 ranked works

ProvinceMinoErac. 1573–1592PeriodMomoyamaSchoolSekiTraditionMino-denGeneration2ndFujishiroChu-jo sakuToko Taikan450(top 31%)TypeSwordsmithCodeUJI144
1Jūyō Bijutsuhin
4Jūyō Tōken

Overview

Ujisada is traditionally regarded as the son of the first-generation Wakasa no Kami Ujifusa of Seki in province, and as the younger brother of the second-generation Wakasa no Kami Ujifusa. Active during the closing decades of the period, with dated works spanning from Tensho 3 (1575) through Tensho 7 (1579), he occupied a distinguished position within the group. He received the court title Izumo no Kami and signed variously as Sakon Shosho, Sakon Gonshosho, and Gonshosho. The sobriquet "Ikoku Ujisada" is said to have been bestowed in praise of the superb quality of his workmanship, an appellation reportedly arising when a discerning warrior requested one of his blades in preference to a sword from another province.

In the usual style of this smith, one finds a forging texture showing a combination of tight with a -inclined character, and a temper that forms a gently undulating, shallow and broad , into which -shaped elements are mixed -- features that well display the characteristics of the group and in particular of the Ujifusa line. His works range from exhibiting large that hardens into with assuming a -like character, to bearing mixed with in which slight and enter with a tightening , according well with the transmitted manner of his master. Among , many works bear skillfully executed carvings, placing "grass" or such as with -- a hallmark of the line.

Across the body of designated works, the repeatedly observes that Ujisada's blades "clearly display the characteristic features of this smith" and that the workmanship in both and is excellent. His finest pieces are distinguished by brightness and clarity in the steel -- both and temper described as -- to such a degree that one designated example is characterized as giving an impression that could be mistaken for a superior work by Kotetsu. The consistent presence of dated inscriptions among his surviving works adds documentary value to an oeuvre that stands as a representative achievement of late Seki craftsmanship.

Dated Works

Years he was demonstrably active, proven by signed-and-dated blades

Active period
1575–1579Editorial estimate: 1573–1592
2 of 5 designated works carry a date
15701590
  1. 1575
    天正三年Juyo session 15, item 81
  2. 1579
    天正七年Juyo session 44, item 33

Designations

Kokuhō—
Jūyō Bunkazai—
Jūyō Bijutsuhin1
Gyobutsu—
Tokubetsu Jūyō—
Jūyō Tōken4

Elite Standing

0.00 across 5 designated works

Top 100% among smiths

Provenance

1 documented provenance across certified works by Ujisada

Provenance Standing

0 works held in elite collections across 1 documented provenances

Top 48% among smiths

Raw score: 2.00 / 10

Blade Forms

Distribution across 5 ranked works

Signatures

Signature types across 5 ranked works

Currently Available

Seki School

Other artisans of the Seki school

  1. 1.Kinju金重2 for sale45designated
  2. 2.Ujifusa氏房3 for sale16designated
  3. 3.Ujifusa氏房3 for sale9designated
  4. 4.Kaneyuki金行10designated
  5. 5.Kanekore兼之7designated
  6. 6.Kanenori兼法1 for sale7designated
  7. 7.Nagasada永貞6 for sale5designated
  8. 8.Kaneyoshi兼吉4designated
  9. 9.Hanjo繁昌4designated
  10. 10.Kanenori兼伯3designated
  11. 11.Daido大道2 for sale3designated
  12. 12.Kanenobu兼延2 for sale3designated

Ujisada

Ujisada(氏貞) was a Japanese swordsmith of the Seki school in Mino province, active during the Eiroku (1558-1570) period.

The work follows the Mino-den tradition.

Designated works by Ujisada include 4 Jūyō.