Katana: Hizen Kuni Ju Minamoto Munetsugu 'signature not guaranteed'
2017/01/07
Katana in Shirasaya (consignment sale)
Signature : Hizen Kuni Ju Minamoto Munetsugu (signature not guaranteed)
Hoei 4 Nen 8 Gatu Hi
Sayagaki : Hizen Koku Ju Minamoto Munetsugu, Horeki 4 Nen 8 Gatsu Hi, Domei 2 Dai Saku Nari, Hacho 2 Shaku 1 Sun 1 Bu Ari Kore Chinpin Nari, Showa 53 Shogatsu Hi
(This blade has been forged by Hizen Koku Ju Minamoto Munetsugu the second generation at A.D.1754. The blade length is 25.2 inches. This blade is very precious. Written by Dr. Kanzan at January 1978.)
(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijo saku, Jojo saku Jo saku and regular saku)
This sword belongs to Jo Saku ranking.
The blade is polished by good polisher.
Habaki : Silver colored copper habaki.
Blade length : 64.0 cm or 25.2 inches.
Sori : 1.8 cm or 0.71 inches.
Mekugi : 1
Width at the Hamachi : 3.41 cm or 1.34 inches.
Width at the Kissaki : 2.51 cm or 0.99 inches.
Kasane : 0.75 cm or 0.30 inches.
Era : Edo period Horeki era (A.D.1754)
Shape : The blade is wide and thick with nice curve long Kissaki.
Kurikara, the sword with dragon is engraved on one side and the other side, Amanosakaboko, the holy spear is engraved.
Jigane : Well grained Itamehada becomes Masamehada. Jinie attached wekk with Chikei appear.
Hamon : Niedeki Gunome-Midare with Ashi working well. Sunagashi and Kinsuji appear on the surface. Boshi is Sansaku style and then turns sharp Hakikake style.
Special feauture : Hizen Koku Ju Munetsugu is a swordsmith retained by Nabesima domain at Saga area in Kyushu. On Sayagaki written by Dr. Kanzan, this blade is said to attribute as Munetsugu the second generation.
Engrave of Kurikara sword and Amanosagaboko spear is wonderful.
This blade doesn’t have certification and as we don't have enough documents about Munetsugu the second generation, we cannot guarantee the signature is reliable or not. Dr. Kanzan wrote ‘precious’ because the blade forged by Munetugu the second generation are very scarce and difficult to find at any museum or market.
Shirasaya is very old and has a damage. If you want an additional new Shirasaya, the price is ¥55,000 (JPY) and it will take about 1 month to finish.
Aoi Art estimation paper : whole Oshigata.