After the Ōnin War broke the Ashikaga order, a century of Sengoku warfare armed nearly every province in Japan. The era rewards a discriminating eye: routine work exists in quantity, and beside it stand custom blades of the first rank.
NihontoWatchNihontoWatchAbout swordsmith This blade is attributed to the work of Sue Soshu Masahiro(末相州正広) by NBTHK, one of the most reputable Japanese sword appraising organizations in modern time. Sue Soshu refers to the blades forged by the swordsmiths in Sagami province during the mid-late Muromachi period(late 14th-late 16th century). According to available records, the maker’s name Masahiro lasted seventh generations from the Nanbokucho-late Muromachi period(mid 14th -late 16th century). Based on the characteristic of this blade, we assume it could have been forged by the fourth-gen Masahiro, who was active around the Kosho era(1455-1457). The first-gen Masahiro is said to have been an apprentice of Masamune, one of the most famous swordsmiths in Japanese history. Masahiro served the Hojyo clan during Sengoku Jidai(Warring state period) to meet the high demand for weapons. Masahiro was one of the most famous swordsmiths who mastered Soshu traditions(Soshu DEN) along with Sadamune, Hiromitsu Masamune. Soshu Den The foundation of Soshu traditions (Soshu DEN) dates back to the establishment of the Kamakura government(1185-1333). The Shogun at the time, Hojo Tokiyori, gathered swordsmiths of Yamashiro-Den and Bizen-Den to create a new tradition named Soshu-Den. Following the Mongolian Invasion caused in 1274 and 1281, they had to improve the strength of their swords. Skilled swordsmiths such as Shintougo Kunimitsu, Yukimitsu, and Masamune pursued their craft to bring Soshu-Den to the exquisite level, achieving both beauty and practicality that they had not seen before. Horimono This blade also has Horimono(the inscription) of Sanscrit letter and Kurikara Ken. Kurikara-Ken (倶利伽羅剣) is the sword that Fudo Myo-O (不動明王, acalanātha) holds with his right hand(you can see it on the tang part). Fudo Myo-O is one of the objects of worship in Buddhism. According to a theory, it is the incarnation of Dainichi Nyorai (大日如来, Mahāvairocana, the principal image of esoteric Buddhism). Kurikara-ken was named due to its appearance that Kurikara Ryu-O (倶利伽羅龍王, dragon) is winding around the sword. It is believed Kurikara-Ken could cut off worldly desires: Sandoku (三毒). Sandoku is the three fundamental earthly desires; Ton (貪, greed), Jin (瞋, anger, grudge), Chi (癡, delusion, complaint). Construction of this blade The construction of this blade is called Osoraku Zukuri. It has a very long tip whose length is close to the rest of the cutting edge in the sword. This construction has been very popular among Japanese sword collectors because of its elegant yet muscular appearance. Please keep in mind that there is a partial black rust on Mune area(back bone of the blade). If you like to know the detail condition, please feel free to contact us. Horimono Horimono is an inscription or sculpture on Japanese swords. Fuchi-Kashira The Kiku Mon (菊紋, chrysanthemum pattern) and the Karakusa Zu (唐草, arabesque motif) are designed for this Fuchi Kashira. Chrysanthemums are engraved semi three-dimensionally, and the arabesque pattern is colored with golden paint. It remains this gold color in good condition, and it is an element of the gorgeousness of this work. A long time ago, the chrysanthemum was used as a medicine for obtaining a long life, and it was brought to Japan from the Continent with this thought in the Nara period (648-781). Chrysanthemum symbolizes autumn, and Japanese people have appreciated it very much since ancient times. As its petals form radially, the chrysanthemum has been likened to the sun. That is why this flower pattern is treated as the symbol of perpetual youth and longevity or good health. Also, this plant motif has a deep relationship with the Samurai culture. It would be interesting to focus on these points of view. About the arabesque pattern, it is a design in which stems and leaves of vines are twined and make curves. Since ivy has a strong vitality and grows up without interruption, people regarded this design as a symbol of prosperity and longevity. These auspicious plant motifs are designed for this Fuchi Kashira. Tsuka and Menuki Fighting men are the motifs of this Menuki. According to the certificate, these men are Ushiwaka (牛若/ 牛若丸, Ushiwakamaru) and Benkei (弁慶). In Japan, there is a very famous story about them. The plot of the folklore is as follows. In Kyoto, there was a rumor that a violent man, Benkei, had robbed swords from Samurais on the road. Benkei tried to collect a thousand swords. On the day when he will get the thousandth, he met Ushiwaka on the Gojo bridge. Benkei aimed at Ushiwaka’s sword and challenged him to a duel. However, it was Ushiwaka who won the battle. Ushiwak dodged Benkei’s long sword and threw a fan at his forehead, and Benkei turned over. Benkei surrendered to Ushiwaka and became Ushiwaka’s follower. Based on this story, in this Menuki, the man who brings a fan is Ushiwaka, and the other man who has a Naginata (薙刀, pole-shape weapon) is Benkei. Tsuba and Habaki Fighting men are the motifs of this Menuki. According to the certificate, these men are Ushiwaka (牛若/ 牛若丸, Ushiwakamaru) and Benkei (弁慶). In Japan, there is a very famous story about them. The plot of the folklore is as follows. In Kyoto, there was a rumor that a violent man, Benkei, had robbed swords from Samurais on the road. Benkei tried to collect a thousand swords. On the day when he will get the thousandth, he met Ushiwaka on the Gojo bridge. Benkei aimed at Ushiwaka’s sword and challenged him to a duel. However, it was Ushiwaka who won the battle. Ushiwak dodged Benkei’s long sword and threw a fan at his forehead, and Benkei turned over. Benkei surrendered to Ushiwaka and became Ushiwaka’s follower. Based on this story, in this Menuki, the man who brings a fan is Ushiwaka, and the other man who has a Naginata (薙刀, pole-shape weapon) is Benkei. Saya This scabbard is painted with brown lacquer, and its irregular color scheme makes this beautiful work. In addition, you would find tiny decoration parts that give off a glittering and elegant shine. This ornamental scabbard painting is called the Aogai Mijin Nuri (青貝微塵塗). It uses the Aogai (青貝, kind of seashell). Finely crushed shells are coated with lacquer. It emits a unique blue-green color with a rainbow-colored glow. Kozuka Fighting men are the motifs of this Menuki. According to the certificate, these men are Ushiwaka (牛若/ 牛若丸, Ushiwakamaru) and Benkei (弁慶). In Japan, there is a very famous story about them. The plot of the folklore is as follows. In Kyoto, there was a rumor that a violent man, Benkei, had robbed swords from Samurais on the road. Benkei tried to collect a thousand swords. On the day when he will get the thousandth, he met Ushiwaka on the Gojo bridge. Benkei aimed at Ushiwaka’s sword and challenged him to a duel. However, it was Ushiwaka who won the battle. Ushiwak dodged Benkei’s long sword and threw a fan at his forehead, and Benkei turned over. Benkei surrendered to Ushiwaka and became Ushiwaka’s follower. Based on this story, in this Menuki, the man who brings a fan is Ushiwaka, and the other man who has a Naginata (薙刀, pole-shape weapon) is Benkei. Authentication Paper They authenticated the blade on March 25th in the 48th year of Showa(1973). They appraised it as Tokubetsu Kicho, an old form of certifiate. NBTHK issued a Hozon certificate for the Koshirae on April 2nd, 2021.
Masahiro正廣
Offered by Samurai Museum
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Sagami · around 1452-1455
Tōken Taikan top 49%
The Muromachi period (1392 to 1573)
After the Ōnin War broke the Ashikaga order, a century of Sengoku warfare armed nearly every province in Japan. The era rewards a discriminating eye: routine work exists in quantity, and beside it stand custom blades of the first rank.
This work carries older NBTHK “Kichō”-era papers, which the NBTHK no longer issues and largely disavows today. To confirm the attribution, submission to an official Japanese examination body (such as the NBTHK or NTHK) for modern certification could be considered.
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