A38738（W2766) Wakizashi signed Bunshu Takada-ju Fujiwara MUNEYUKI	NBTHK(HOZON)
Early Edo period (Meireki era about 350 years ago) Bungo Length of cutting edge48.3cm Curvature1.0cm Width of base30.6mm Width of Yokote21.8mm Thickness of base6.9mm
Sugata(configuration) : Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune. Mihaba on base is wide with moderate curvature leading to a middle kissaki. There is massive volume in Hiraji and thick in Kasane, heavy in hand. (click HERE for higher resolution) Kitae(forging pattern) : Kitae-hada is conspicuous fine Masame-hada in Shinogiji and Hiraji shows well wrought Mokume (wooden burl) grain mark against bluish steel of which surface is covered in sparkling ji-nie glitter that generates darkish small Nie lines along wooden grain so called CHIKEI activity. Hamon(tempering pattern) : Hamon is tight Nioi based, wide suguha straight outline,mixing in with shallow wavy indication, Fray (hotsure) and minute (komidare) temper activity. The waist of reversed side shows Kinsen or Sunagashi darkish Nie lines activity. Boshi (tip): The temper of tip is medium circle blushing up then medium circle turns back. Nakago(tang) : Original UBU with One mekugi-ana retaining hole. Kiri (horizontal) file marks. Ha-agari Kurijiri (uneven U-shaped) heel. The signature in front is long character that starts from the place of work [Bunshu Takada-ju], the name of clan [Fujiwara] and smith name [MUNEYUKI] . The founder of Takada lineage in Kenmu (1330's) in Bungo domain was TOMOYUKI who was a disciple of SAMONJI in Chikuzen domain. During the Sengoku Warning States period, The sword makers of Takada school had worked for a feudal lord Ōtomo Sōrin exclusively. It's workmanship covers wide range such as Sōshu Bizen, Mino or Yamashiro schools. The subject blade is distinguished as a work of the 3rd generation TOMOYUKI during Meireki (17th C.) It is understood the technical exchanges between Tadayoshi school in Hizen domain became very active during 17th C. and this wakizashi shows close resembles to the works of Hizen. The entire blade is massively made, heavy on hand holding brave shape for Samurais of warlike spirit. Although there are some trivial rotted marks at the temper line in waist of reversed side, they are well eliminated by the recent polish, carefully forging marks generates moist skin and temper line shows delicately minute activities and uniform whitish Nioi. Elaborate work of tang, filemarks and signature shows a smith of ability and a representative work of MUNEYUKI. Recent polish/Condition scale: good (using a scale of mint-excellent-very good-good-fair-poor) condition Old original copper habaki collar, preserved in a Shira-Saya plain wood mounting