Katana : Bizen Suke Munetsugu/Kouka 4Nen 8 Gatsuhi
2017/01/07
Katana in Shirasaya, with Koshirae. (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)
Signature : Bizen Suke Munetsugu
Kouka 4Nen 8 Gatsuhi
This sword is mentioned on the book Toko Jiten page 188 written by Fjishiro Yoshio.
This book is the best sword book like bible in Japan.
(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo saku, Jyojyo saku Jyo saku and regular saku)
This Bizen Suke Munetsugu belongs to Jyo-Jyo saku ranking.
Shinshinto : Jyo-Jyo saku ranking : Musashi province
The blade was polished by high ranking polisher.
Habaki : Gold foiled double habaki.
Blade length : 68.18 cm or 26.84 inches.
Sori : 1.8 cm or 0.70 inches.
Mekugi : 1
Width at the hamachi : 3.1cm or 1.22 inches.
Width at the Kissaki : 2.15 cm or 0.84 inches.
Kasane : 0.83 cm or 0.32 inches.
Era : Late Edo Kouka era.(1847)
Shape : The blade is regular size with deep sori nice looking shape.
On both sides of the blade, engrave Bo-Hi and Soehi.
Hamon : Nioideki gunome midare and Cyoji midare mixed with ashi and deep nioikuchi hamon. Boshi is midarekomi style.
Special feature : First generation Bizen no suke Munetsugu (Koyama Munetugu)
was born at Mutsu Shirakawa province as a son of Koyama Munehira.
His name was Soubei.
He was working for Matudaira Daimyo family as a sword making Samurai.
He moved to Kuwana province with his master and then he moved to
Edo at Tenpo 2 nd year.At that time he was high reputation of cut well
swords maker.
Some times we found his swords which was done Saidanmei and also possession name on the tang of the blade.
Generally speaking the quality of Munetsugu is one of the top sword
smith in late Edo period and without any faults among his swords.
He passed away Meiji 5th year 70years of age.
This sword is mentioned on the book Toko Jiten written by Hujishiro page 188.
This sword is excellent work and condition without any kizu and flow.
Koshirae :
Tsuba : Round shape iron tsuba, flower designe is engraved open work. Cyosyu Hagi jyu Okada So-bei(genuine)
Fuchi : On the syakudo nanako plate, shishi dod is engraved with gold color.
Kashira : Horn with gold color.
Saya : On the black roiro saya, cherry tree(sakura) with birds are writen by gold color.
Menuki : Shishi dog is engraved with gold colorby syakudo plate.
NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon paper.
Fujishiro Toko-Jiten page 188.
Aoi Art estimation paper : whole Oshigata.
Price : 2,900,000 JPY-
