Edo was the sword’s age of connoisseurship: the Hon’ami appraisers, the shogunal register of famous blades of 1719, and a thriving literature turned the sword into an object of study even as it ceased to be drawn in war.
NihontoWatchNihontoWatchAbout Swordsmith Omi no Kami Fujiwara Tsuguhiro(近江守藤原継広) is an apprentice of the third-gen Yasutsugu(the founder of Echizen Yasutsugu school). Tsuguhiro belonged to Echizen Shimosaka school and was active in sword-forging in the early Edo period(1661-1673). Tsuguhiro signed the title “近江守(Omi no Kami),” and his maker’s name “藤原継広(Fujiwara Tsuguhiro)” on the front. And he inscribed where he lived “越前住(Living in Echizen)” and the school’s name “下坂(Shimosaka)” on the back. There was also a record where Tsuguhiro forged swords in Edo city after leaving Echizen province. About Echizen Shimosaka School It is said that the first-gen Yasutsugu was the founder of the Echizen Shimoasaka school. He was born in Shimosaka town in Shiga prefecture at the end of the Muromachi period(Late 16 century ). He built his career there until the beginning of the Keicho era(1596). However, he moved to Echizen province due to the relocation of the lord he served. He eventually was noticed and supported by Matsudaira Hideyasu, the third son of Tokugawa Ieyasu, who was the founder of the Edo government. Hideysu was the feudal lord of Echizen province during the early Edo period. With the support of Hideyasu, the first-gen Yasutsugu was able to establish the Echizen Shimosaka school. And his school’s fame became nationwide. By Hideyasu’s recommendation, the first-gen Yasutsugu became Okakaekaji for the Tokugawa shogun family, meaning that he exclusively forged swords for the Shogun family. Yasutsu was acknowledged by the first and second Tokugawa Shoguns, Tokugawa Ieyasu, and Tokugawa Hidetada. The first-gen Yasutsugu received 康(YASU) from Tokugawa Ieyasu and changed his maker’s name. He was also allowed to inscribe the holly oak symbol(family crest of Tokugawa) on the tang. The school flourished during the Edo period and trained many skilled apprentices. Tsuguhiro is one of the most famous apprentices among many swordsmiths who resided in Echizen province. About Echizen province Echizen Province was famous for forging razor-sharp, practically designed swords. The Edo government, run by the Tokugawa clan, ordered many blades from the swordsmiths in this province during the Edo period(1603-1868). There were so many swordsmiths in Echizen province, originally from the Mino province(Gifu prefecture), which is known as one of the five great Japanese sword styles MINO-DEN. This blade is appraised as a Hozon Token(保存刀剣) issued by NBTHK(Nihon Bijutsu Touken Hozon Kyokai:日本美術刀剣保存協会). Fuchi-Kashira The scenery of the waterside is depicted for this Fuchi Kashira. According to the signature, this Fuchi Kashira was made by Yoshitsugu (美次), who did well in the late Edo period. You could find three sailing ships are closing the sea at the Kashira part. There is a big pine tree at the Fuchi part, and a bamboo broom has fallen beside the tree. As pine trees keep their green color throughout the years by withstanding severe heat and cold, people thought this plant pattern represents eternal youth. A theory says this color was appreciated as a good-luck color, especially in the Edo period. The pine tree design is often seen in sword mountings; it might have been selected due to its auspicious meaning. Tsuka and Menuki Seeing from the gaps of the Tsukamaki thread, this Menuki’s motif is the dragon. It seems it was initially colored with golden metal. Its figure is engraved in details, even such as each scale, it shows us the maker’s skilled technique. Originally, the dragon was an imaginary creature found in ancient traditions or myths. Furthermore, it is regarded as a symbolic beast of auspicious signs. Its body is likened to nine animals: antlers are deer, the head is a camel, eyes are demons, the neck is a snake, belly is Mizuchi (蛟, mythical animal in Japan which looks like a snake and have a horn and four legs), scales are fish, claws are falcons, palms are tigers, and ears are cows. It was thought that the dragon would reign at the top of all animals because of its odd-looking appearance. Also, there is a belief that worships dragon as a water god in Japan. As rice cultivation flourished in this country, water is always an essential resource. Therefore, the dragon motif has been familiar to Japanese people since a long time ago. Same as the Fuchi Kashira, this Menuki’s motif might have been chosen because of its water-related design. If you focus on the dragon’s hand, you will notice that it brings the small ball. A theory says that this ball is the Nyoi Houju (如意宝珠, Cintāmaṇi). It is a fantasy jewel that fulfills any desire, gives out treasure, clothes, food, and drink. Moreover, it heals illness and suffering, removes evils, purifies muddy water, and prevents disasters. It is said this magical item is taken from the brain of the king of the dragon. These detailed expressions tell us how the dragon design was favored as an auspicious pattern. Tsuba and Habaki Circle-shaped Tsuba made from iron. It has a rough surface; you would enjoy its texture. This Tsuba has a symmetric design, and four hat-like shapes are engraved. Since other sword mountings’ motifs are related to the sea (that is, water), this Tsuba’s design might also relate to the same theme. Regarding this point of view, these hat shapes represent the hat which a fisher wears. Saya The Seigaiha (青海波) pattern decorates this Saya. According to a theory, this design symbolizes the benefits of the vast sea. This infinite wave pattern has been treated as an auspicious pattern. People used it, wishing eternal happiness and peaceful lives for the future. Authentication Paper They authenticated the blade on Jan 29th in the 21st year of Heisei (2009). They appraised it as Hozon Touken, the blade worth preserving for Japanese society. Registration Number The Board of Education in Okayama prefecture issued a registration paper for this sword .It is called Jyu Token Rui Torokusho(銃刀剣類登録証).
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Echizen · around 1661-1673
Fujishiro Chu-jo saku · Tōken Taikan top 60%
6 pieces on the market now
The Edo period (1615 to 1868)
Edo was the sword’s age of connoisseurship: the Hon’ami appraisers, the shogunal register of famous blades of 1719, and a thriving literature turned the sword into an object of study even as it ceased to be drawn in war.
Certifies a genuine blade worth preserving: a signature confirmed correct, or, if unsigned, an era, province, and school that the NBTHK can reliably identify.
The NBTHK (Nihon Bijutsu Tōken Hozon Kyōkai, the Society for the Preservation of Japanese Art Swords) is a public-interest incorporated foundation founded in 1948 and supervised by Japan’s Agency for Cultural Affairs (Bunkachō); it is based at the Japanese Sword Museum in Tokyo. Its expert panels physically examine each submitted work (shinsa) and issue a certificate (kanteishō) ranking it by artistic and historical merit. NBTHK papers are the most widely recognized standard of authentication for Japanese swords and fittings.
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