A73037(S2059)
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Katana signed Zen Hakushu NOBUTAKA Nyudo In the 2nd month Kanbun 3rd with) Rapeseed coating Burgundy lacquered scabbard Uchikatana Koshirae

Shinto early Edo period (Kanbun 3/1663) Owari
Length of cutting edge 74.9cm Curvature 1.6cm Width of base 33.8mm Width of Yokote 24.3mm Thickness of base 7.5mm

NBTHK(Tokubetsu Hozon) certificate

with) Rapeseed coating Burgundy lacquered scabbard Uchikatana Koshirae

NBTHK(Hozon) certificate for Tsuba

Blade construction: Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune with a bit on deeper side curvature. Kasane is thick, Mihaba width on base is exceedingly wide and less degree of tapering toward the swelling upper Monouchi area leading to an elongated large Kissaki. There is deep edge at both Hamachi in the ridges of cutting and back side. The entire blade is heavy on both hands in 950grams naked blade without Habaki, full of brave spirits, strengthened and honored for the Ōwaza-mono (the best cutting performance award). (click HERE for super sized image of entire blade)
Forging(Hada): Forging mark is Itame in general, some partial indication of conspicuous large wooden grain mark using steel of fine quality with the impression of bluish steel. Hiraji surface is covered with sparkling Nie glitter so called Ji-nie crystallized mist where darkish weave line of Chikei gushes out from steel.
Temper(Hamon): Hamon stars with gentle wavy "Notare" in Yakidashi then undulating large Gunome and combined small Gunome. Upper the blade, wider the pemper to create "Choji" clove outline where the entire temper lines of both sides are well matched. Sparkling fine Nie glitter accumulates along temper peak where frequent long feet of Ashi radiate toward the cutting edge. In the interior of temper it is full of crystallized mist with delicate activity of streaming lines of Sunagashi.
Temper of tip(Boshi): Boshi forms straight Suguha with minute irregular indications then medium circle turns back in gentle.
Tang(Nakago): UBU in original. One peg hole of Mekugi-ana. Greatly Slanting left with horizontal Kesho filemarks. Uneven U-shape bottom heel. Round back ridge where greatly slanting left filemark is perceived. The signature in front located a bit on Hiraji-side starts with the retirement pseudonym of Zen Hakushu 前伯州, smith name NOBUTAKA 信高 then Nyudo(a Monk) 入道. and the other side side is chiselled with the date of year In the 2nd month kanbun 3rd (1663) 寛文三年二月日.

The Owari Tokugawa family clan was a key stronghold in the Chukyo region that produced prominent heroes of the Sengoku Warring States period such as Nobunaga 信長, Hideyoshi 秀吉, Ieyasu 家康, Kato Kiyomasa 加藤清正 or Fukushima Masanori 福島正則.
The subject Nobutaka 信高, a skilled sword craftsman of the Owari domain, primarily focused on creating robust Katana structures that met the increasing demands from brave Owari Samurais in full of martial spirit.
The 2nd generation NOBUTAKA was born in Keicho 8, (1603) as a legitimate child of 1st generation NOBUTAKA 慶遊信高 in Seki-kaji town Kiyosu Owari domain. He had moved to Seki-Kaji town Nagoya (now in Marunouchi 3 chome, Naka-ku, Nagoya) in Nagoya castle relocation , the 2nd month, Keicho 15 (1610). He obtained official district title "Hōki-no-kami" , in the 29th day, 8th month, Kanei 10 (1633) at 31 years old then had exclusively worked for Tokugawa Yoshinao 徳川義直 and the vassals of the Owari Tokugawas with as much as a one hundred koku stipend.
He once announced his retirement in Kanbun 2, at 60 years old in order to abdicate in favor of his son officially but he still remained to the stage with the additionally signed monk name [Nyudō入道] at the end of his signature or add [Zenpakushu 前伯州] title on top. Passed away in the 27th day, 9th month, the 2th year of Genroku (1689), 87 years old.

The subject katana, it is stout outstandingly wide in Mihaba and thick in Kasane with massive volume of Hiraniku - impressively heavy on both hands. The year of kanbun 3 (1663) was in his matured age at 61 years old right after his retirement from the headship. This Katana and shows peculiarity of Nobutaka 2nd who closely worked for Bushido master Yagyu Renya Shigekane 柳生連也斉厳包. Nakago holds an excellent taste of patina in 360 years that remains clear filemark and chisel of typical his own signature. The date of year Kanbun 3rd adds a historical value while the most of NOBUTAKA 信高 works seldom showed the year of manufacturing.

In reference to the other wakizashi signed [San-ami Mappa Houki-no-kami Nobutaka saku, Owned by Taira-uji Shigekane, kanbun 7, Autumn, Cut a Ichino-dou body with thigh at once, Two bellies cut through at once over a few SUN down into the ground] possessed by The Kuwana City Museum 脇指　『三阿弥末派伯耆守信高作　平氏厳包所持之、寛文七秋一之胴奥大桃灯一刃　二津胴快裁落之入平地数寸也』. This is an example of work which had been owed by Bushido master Yagyu Renya Shigekane and treasured by Owari Samurais holding brave spirit, and it is understood that smith Nobutaka was particularly skilled to meet with their requirement.

with) Rapeseed coating Burgundy lacquered scabbard Uchikatana Koshirae (click HERE for entire Koshirae and HERE for each fitting)
 Copper single Habaki collar, Preserved in a Shira-Saya plain wood mounting.
An recent excellent polish/Condition scale: mint-excellent (using a scale of mint-excellent-very good-good-fair-poor).
(note)The 3rd generation NOBUTAKA, Kawamura San-no-sho NOBUTAKA, who was born in the ninth year of Kanei (1632) in Nagoya, Owari, enjoyed Hōki-no-kami title when he was 34 years old at the fifth day, third month, the fifth year of Kanbun (1665). Also he was nominated in the fifth month, the same year, to work for the domain of Owari Tokugawa exclusively by the second feudal lord Tokugawa Mitsutomo 徳川光友.
(note)During Kanbun/Enpo period in the middle of 17th century, there was large demand of swords from Samurais, who preferred stout and best cutting performing blades especially in Owari where Bushido was very vigorous. The smith Nobutaka proudly worked for a Bushido instructor of Owari Tokugawa, Yagyu Renya Shigekane(1625-1694) 柳生連也厳包 and have been prized by Samurais from long ago for their cutting ability as Owaza-mono (the best cutting performance).
reference data:
Iwata Atou Owari Tōkōfu 1985 Publisher : Nagoya city Board of Education
Kato Hiroshi Token Bijutsu vol.357 1986 Japan Sword Preservation Society
Wakizashi signed [San-ami Mappa Houki-no-kami Nobutaka saku, Owned by Taira-uji Shigekane, kanbun 7, Autumn, Cut a Ichino-dou body and thigh at once, Two bellys cut through at once over a few SUN down into the ground] possesed by The Kuwana City Museum 脇指　『三阿弥末派伯耆守信高作　平氏厳包所持之、寛文七秋一之胴奥大桃灯一刃　二津胴快裁落之入平地数寸也』.
reference: Wakizashi signed Zen-Hakushu NOBUTAKA Nyudo Make this at 66 years old