O10580(S8912) Katana signed Bunshu-ju Fujiwara MASAYUKI
with)Black Stone finish lacquered Crush-Ice pattern scabbard Uchikatana Koshirae
NBTHK(Hozon)
(Tokubetsu Kicho)
Shinto Early Edo period (Keian era/circa 1648-) Bungo
Length of cutting edge 71.0cm Curvature 1.9cm Width of base 31.0mm Width of Yokote 19.5mm Thickness of base 7.6mm
Blade construction : Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune. Wide in Minaha, thick in Kasane, holding well-harmonized a bit on deeper side curvature in Sori with an appropriate degree of tapering from base to tip that ends in an elongated Chu-kissaki. Entire blade is at the Jōsun interpretations in a highly harmonious manner which was assumed to preferences in swrodsmanship that appeared with the Kan'ei era (1648-) referred to as Kan'ei-shinto style 寛永新刀姿. (click HERE for higher resolution image)
Forging(Hada) : Jigane steel is finely-kneaded Itame to form Ko-Itame-hada appears on Hiraji . Sparkling martensite crystals Ji-nie appears against fine Ko-Itame to generate precise gleaming lines of Chikei to form straight forging ware of Masame-hada over the Hiraji surface.
Temper(Hamon) : Hamon is a bit on stronger side martensite crystals Ko-Nie based, Suguha with some indication of small Gunome knot and some irregular activities of YOU or Hotsure and Niju-Ha. Boundary line glows with martensite crystals of Nie and deep in the Nioi mist-like crystalline area.
Tang(Nakago) : UBU in original. Yasurime is shallow slanting left Katte-sagari. Back ridge of Nakago is flat with Ō-sujikai filemark. The heel shape is Uneven U-shape of Ha- agari-Kurijiri. One peg hole of mekugi-ana. The signature inscription in front is located upper the Nakago along Shinogi-suji ridge, starts with the place of work Bunshu-ju 豊州住, a name of clan Fujiwara 藤原 and the name of smith MASAYUKI 正行.

The founder of Takada lineage in Ken'mu (1330's) in Bungo domain was TOMOYUKI 友行 who was a disciple of SAMONJI 左文字 in Chikuzen domain. During the Sengoku Warning States period, The sword makers of Takada 高田 school had worked for a feudal lord Ōtomo Sōrin exclusively. It's workmanship covers wide range such as Soushu, Bizen, Mino or Yamashiro and Yamato traditions.
The subject maker MASAYUKI 正行, reportedly a son of SANEYUKI 実行, is distinguished as a work of the 1st generation who appeared in Keian era (1648-) then had traced his descent in 3 generations during Edo period under the patronage of Hosokawa 細川 clan.
It is understood the technical exchanges between Tadayoshi school in great vogue became very active during 17 th C., in consequence this Katana shows close resembles to the work of Hizen school in shape and to add an ancient Yamato traditional forging technique as well.
The entire blade is massively heavy on both hands holding brave shape for a Samurai of warlike spirit. Using fine steel with an elaborate forging process generates fine skin of Ko- Itame hada and precise darkish lines of Chikei forms typical Masame hada ware. Careful work of Nakago tang and it's filemarks and typical example of inscription that preserves an good taste of patina in 370 years.

with) Black Stone finish lacquered Crush-Ice pattern scabbard Uchikatana Koshirae (click HERE for entire Koshirae and HERE for each fitting)
  • Fuchi/kashira : Fan of a floating-chrysanthemum design, Shakudo ground Sukisage-style carving, Gold Iroe inlay, unsigned
  • Menuki : A rabbit-ear Iris and wild goose design
  • Tsuba : Fan-shape, Kanji 4 character [一生初心] Iron ground openwork signed MUNEFUNE-saku 宗舟作
  • Kogai : Amitabha 6 character [南無阿弥陀仏], Shakudo ground, Nanako-ji surface, unsigned
  • Tsuka : White layskin, black silk cord lozenge wrap
Copper ground, double layer Habaki collar, preserved in a new plain wood mounting Shira-saya with Sayagaki.
reference data :
Honma Kunzan/Ishii Masakuni, Nihonto Meikan, Yuzankaku, 1975
 
Katana signed Bunshu-ju Fujiwara MASAYUKI with)Black Stone finish lacquered Crush-Ice pattern scabbard Uchikatana Koshirae 

Katana signed Bunshu-ju Fujiwara MASAYUKI with)Black Stone finish lacquered Crush-Ice pattern scabbard Uchikatana Koshirae
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