K7126(S1898)
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Katana signed Taira-no MORITSUGU with) Waist notches Black Stone surface lacquered Tiger Ink Sumi-Makiework Uchikatana Koshirae

Shinto Early Edo period (Kan'ei - Shouhou era/circa 1624-47) Bungo
Length of cutting edge 70.4cm Curvature 1.0cm Width of base 31.6mm Width of Yokote 20.2mm Thickness of base 7.4mm

NBTHK(Hozon) certificate

with) Waist notches Black Stone surface lacquered Tiger Ink Sumi-Makie work Uchikatana Koshirae

Blade construction (kengyo) : Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune in low ridge. powerful massive Katana. Kasane on base is thick even one of upper is a bit on thicker side holding abundant Hiraniku volume. Mihaba is wide and upper Fukura area swells out leading to an elongated middle Kissaki. The entire shape shows the typical standard which had circulated during early Edo period so called Kanei-shinto style. (click HERE for high resolution of the blade photograph)
Forging pattern (kitae hada) : Kitae hada is conspicuous Itame with partial Mokume burl ware where chrystallized Ji-nie (hard metal granules over the surface) sparkles clearly against thick lines of Chikei (darkish Nie lines) activity. There gives off diffused reflection of Nie-Utsiri that appears on Hiraji surface.
Tempering pattern (hamon) : Hamon starts with Yakidashi slope, undulating Notare with Gunome and Togari-ha. Boundary line consists of thick Nie where works with short line of Nie Sunagashi as well as Gunome-ashi radiates toward cutting edge.
Temper of tip (boshi) : Temper of Boshi forms stright SUGUHA line then medium circles turn back.
Tang (Nakago) : Nakago is UBU in original with horizontal (Kiri) file marks. Single bevelled (Ha-agari Kurijiri) round heel shape. One Mekugi-ana peg hole. The signature in front is located below Mekugi-ana, a bit on Shinogi-ji sided three large character Taira-no-MORITSUGU 平盛次.

Ancient times in Bungo province (now in Oita pref.) of 12th century, the famed sword smiths monk SADAHIDE 定秀 or YUKIHIRA 行平 had come in then for a long ages in 14th century of Nanbokucho period, smith TOMOYUKI 友行 appeared in Takada town.
TOMOYUKI 友行 is the famed sword maker for the founder of Bungo Takada school in medieval period. According to a classic, TOMOYUKI 友行 had learned Soshu-Bizen school technique in Osafune, Bizen province and also took lessons from SADAMUNE 貞宗 in Kamakura, Soshu province.
Extra long Tachi unsigned Bungo TOMOYUKI 豊後友行 which has belonged since Bunmei 2 (1470) to Ōyamazumi Shrine 大山祇神社 is a monumental work of TOMOYUKI and is designated as a national treasure.
On after Muromachi period, Bungo Takada school has been called "Taira Takada" ever since the smith NAGAMORI 長盛 of Takada lineage named himself the Taira clan.　On after Azuchi Momoyama period in Shinto age, the smith TOMOYUKI 統行 had recovered the name of Fujiwara clan so that Takada works of Shinto period is commonly named named alias "Fujiwara Takada".
The workmanship of Tadada school is wide ranged with a composite of the major schools of Bizen, Soshu, Yamashiro and Yamato and the major three smithes of MUNEYUKI 統行, SHIGEYUKI 重行 and YUKINAGA 行長 deserve the great praise of Supreme sharp "Yoki-wazamono" cutting peformance.
According to the directory of NINONTO MEIKAN, the founder MORITSUGU 盛次 appeared in Meiou era (1492-) and the provisional 2nd generation was active in Tenbun era (1532-).
The subject Katana is appraised as MORITSUGU 盛次 in later ages Kan'ei to Shouhou era (1624-47). This majestic MORITSUGU 盛次 is strongly-built and thick in Kasane. Forging is well-kneaded Itame-hada where sparkling diffused reflect of Ji-nie glitter appears and thick lines of Nie wells out. Shallow swelling Suguha temper starts at Hamachi, flamboyant Gunome where works with abundant Nie activities of Sunagashi and sparkling Nie as well as deep mist of Nioi to have a close resemblance of fascinating grace like Osaka Shinto works.

The incidental stylish Koshirae mount remains an excellent condition to get convince that this Katana was owed by a fashionable Samurai class and has been treasured in generations.
with)Waist notches Black Stone surface lacquered Tiger Ink Sumi-Makie work Uchikatana Koshirae
(click HERE for entire Koshirae and HERE for each metal fitting)
  • Fuchi/Kashira : A sight of Bamboo leaves covered with snow design, Brass ground, Shakudo, Copper Iroe, unsigned
  • Menuki : Snakes design, Silver ground
  • Tsuba : Dragons on clouds design, Iron ground Nadekaku square shape, Gold Nunome-style inlay, Both Hitsuana filled with Shakudo, unsigned
  • Tsuka : White rayskin, Brown lacquered leather Katate-maki style
  • Scabbard : Waist notches Black Stone surface lacquered Tiger Ink Sumi-Makie work, Brass polished Kojiri end
Good old polish/Condition scale: excellent (using a scale of mint-excellent-very good-good-fair-poor).
Brass ground Gold plated Habaki collar, preserved in a Shirasaya plain wood mounting
reference data : Honma Kunzan / Ishii Masakuni NINONTO MEIKAN Yuzankaku, 1975