katana unsigned attributed to a work of FUYUHIRO with) Black lacquered scabbard Dragon motif uchigatana Koshirae fitting
Koto End of Muromachi period (Mieou era/circa1492) Wakasa
Length of cutting edge68.7cm Curvature1.9cm Width of base29.7mm Thickness of base6.8mm Width of Yokote24.1mm
NBTHK(HOZON) certificate
with) Black lacquered scabbard Dragon motif uchigatana Koshirae fitting
Sugata(configuration) : Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune. Hiraji-surface is wide comparatively to the Shinogiji-surface Width of upper Monouchi area is wide leading to a slightly large kissaki, heroically made holding an almost original shape. There is lower pointed curvature, even shows slight curve in Nakago. There are Futasuji-hi (double parallel grooves) on both sides.
Kitae(forging pattern) : Kitae-hada is clear Itame-hada (wooden grain) generally mixing in with large Mokume (burl grain) marks. There shows flowing hada-ware along temper side. The steel is bluish of which Hiraji surface is covered in speckled ji-nie that generates darkish Nie lines so called CHIKEI activity.
Hamon(tempering pattern) : Hamon is strong-coarse but vivid Nie based, forms Wavy and Gunome zigzag. Tobiyaki temper spot splits over the hiraji surface frequently and Ji-nie sparkling glitter gives off Yubashiri activity to generate Hitatsura-hamon. There works with large amount of activity such as Kinsen, Inazuma and Sukagashi darkish Nie-lies streams along temper. From upper middle of the blade, stronger the Nie, deeper the Nioi activity and Tobiyaki spills more to Hiraji. The entire temper is vividly clear, full of bright Nie activity, gaily decorated.
Boshi (tip): The temper of tip is Midarekomi irregular lines with Hakikake blushing lines with Tobiyaki.
Nakago(tang) : Unsigned Original UBU with two mekugi-ana retaining holes, Ship-bottom (Funazoko) shape. Kattesagari (slightly slanting leftward) file marks. Kurijiri (round-shape) heel.
The first gen. smith FUYUHIRO is said a third son of HIROTSUGU in Soshu province and had moved to Obama, Wakasa province (now in Ombama city, Fukui pref.) during Kansho era (circa1460) and had prospered by generations until end of Edo period. The earlier generations followed Soshu school under the influence of Bizen school. This sword was made in the trademark style of either 1st. or 2nd gen. FUYUHIRO during the Warning States period. The work is flawless and fresh polish. There are plenty of Chikei as Ji-nie is abundant in the typically vivid hada. In view of temper, there works with many Inazuma, Kinsuji and Sunagashi indications in Yakiba.
The black lacquered scabbard Uchigatana Koshirae consists of:
Flower petals openwork motif Tsuba, Iron ground, round shape, brass Fukurin rim.
Dragons with cloud design Fuchi/Kashira, Shakudo ground, Nanako-ji surface. Gold Iroe.
Dragon Menuki, Gold ground Yobori carve.
White rayskin black cord wrap hilt
Gold foiled double layer habaki collar, preserved in a Shira-Saya plain wood mounting.
