This blade was signed by Shibata Masayori (新発田正順) in the fourth year of the Ansei era (1858: The end of the Edo period). Shibata is the province located in today’s Nigata prefecture. The signature also says it was made at the beginning of winter (Hatsu Fuyu: 初冬). Based on the signature and NBTHK’s authentication paper, the engraving was also made by Masayori. This blade was ordered by Hasebe Ujishige (長谷部氏重).

In this work, you see a Japanese apricot. Since this plant design has been favored as an auspicious design, it was possibly incorporated into the Horimono. Japanese apricot blossoms begin to bloom in winter that snow still covers its tree, so people thought this flower tells the arrival of spring. Same as cherry blossom, it has been appreciated for a long time in Japan. People enjoy its adorable petal shape and scent, gracefully branched tree, and compose many poems. As it comes out in the cold season, it symbolizes the power of perseverance and vitality.

Three characters are engraved vertically. These letters could be read as follows: 君万歳. If we divide these letters based on the meaning of modern words, they could be divided into two words, “君” and “万歳.” Please note that here we introduce these letters’ meanings to you based on their dictionary meanings. The word 君 (Kimi) means an respected way of calling a higher authority such as an emperor or a person of virtue. And another word, 万歳 (Banzai) generally means the movement to show joy or celebration. The person who ordered this blade must have requested Masayori to engrave these letters. We assume this Tanto might have a special present from someone to a higher authority.

 Token(特別保存刀剣) issued by NBTHK(Nihon Bijutsu Touken Hozon Kyokai:日本美術刀剣保存協会). This authentication paper was only given to authentic Japanese swords, especially well preserved and high quality with artistic value.

A pair of matching sword fittings that cover the upper and bottom parts of its sword hilt.

Black lacquer is applied to this Fuchi Kasira. And you would find that a golden mark is designed on the Kashira part. We think it is put as a family crest, and this design is called the Daki Myoga Mon (抱き茗荷文). It depicts a combination of two mioga gingers that are facing each other. It is often confused with the Gyouyou (杏葉) pattern; the difference between the Gyouyou and Myoga patterns is whether veins are depicted in leaves. Also, the Gyouyou pattern is not a plant design.

The Japanese name of mioga ginger “Myoga (茗荷)” has the same pronunciation as another word, “Myoga (冥加),” which means divine protection; therefore, this motif has been treated as a good-luck design. According to a theory, people incorporated the Myoga pattern into designs because the symbol of Matara-Jin (摩多羅神) was Myoga. This god has been worshipped in Tendai-shū (天台宗, Tendai lotus school), and believed that this god liberates from earthly bondage. That is why this crest is seen at shrines and temples in various parts of Japan. We assume the former owner of this sword might have chosen this Fuchi Kashira’s design based on his family crest.

Antique Japanese Sword Tanto Signed by Masayori

The standard Lorem Ipsum passage, used since the 1500s

"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum."

Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC

"Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?"

"But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?"

Section 1.10.33 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC

"At vero eos et accusamus et iusto odio dignissimos ducimus qui blanditiis praesentium voluptatum deleniti atque corrupti quos dolores et quas molestias excepturi sint occaecati cupiditate non provident, similique sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollitia animi, id est laborum et dolorum fuga. Et harum quidem rerum facilis est et expedita distinctio. Nam libero tempore, cum soluta nobis est eligendi optio cumque nihil impedit quo minus id quod maxime placeat facere possimus, omnis voluptas assumenda est, omnis dolor repellendus. Temporibus autem quibusdam et aut officiis debitis aut rerum necessitatibus saepe eveniet ut et voluptates repudiandae sint et molestiae non recusandae. Itaque earum rerum hic tenetur a sapiente delectus, ut aut reiciendis voluptatibus maiores alias consequatur aut perferendis doloribus asperiores repellat."

"On the other hand, we denounce with righteous indignation and dislike men who are so beguiled and demoralized by the charms of pleasure of the moment, so blinded by desire, that they cannot foresee the pain and trouble that are bound to ensue; and equal blame belongs to those who fail in their duty through weakness of will, which is the same as saying through shrinking from toil and pain. These cases are perfectly simple and easy to distinguish. In a free hour, when our power of choice is untrammelled and when nothing prevents our being able to do what we like best, every pleasure is to be welcomed and every pain avoided. But in certain circumstances and owing to the claims of duty or the obligations of business it will frequently occur that pleasures have to be repudiated and annoyances accepted. The wise man therefore always holds in these matters to this principle of selection: he rejects pleasures to secure other greater pleasures, or else he endures pains to avoid worse pains."

Old Katana

Older Katana


 This blade was signed by Sadamitsu (貞光) during the early Muromachi period (Mid-Late 14th century), according to its NBTHK appraisal. NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon certificate doesn’t specify which Sadamitsu forged this blade as there were more than one swordsmiths who used Sadamitsu as their maker’s name back then. Based on the characteristic of the blade, such as Jigane(Surface Pattern on the steel), Hamon(tempering line), and the shape of Nakago(tang), they estimated the period this blade was created. 

Based on the Nakago shape and the number of holes, this blade was shortened a few times in the past. We assume this blade used to be quite long but got shortened due to the regulations back then or its owner’s preferences.


 Based on which side the signature is on and the authentication paper, this blade was created as a Tachi sword. It comes with a Tachi(太刀) Koshirae. 

Tachi was mainly used by an armored Samurai with one hand on horseback from the Heian period (794-1185 A.D.) until the early Muromachi period. TACHI was suspended loosely on the left waist with its edge facing the ground so that you could draw it faster to cut down soldiers on the ground.

Because of its gorgeous looking, having a Tachi-style sword mounting became a social status among Samurai. We presume this blade was owned by a high-ranked Samurai who was wealthy enough to own a blade forged by a famous swordsmith with the Tachi-style sword mounting.


 There is a Saya Gaki, an appraisal written on a Shirasaya. It was appraised by Kanzan (寒山), a reputable Japanese sword expert (1907-1978). The Saya Gaki was done in 1976. According to this appraisal, this blade was signed by Yamato Koku Sadamitsu (大和国貞光). As a reference, we will write the description about this swordsmith. Yamato Sadamitsu was active during 1346-1370 (early Muromachi period), based on available records. He belonged to Hosho (保昌) school in Yamato province (Today’s Nara prefecture).

There were five prestigious schools, including Hosho school, during the Kamakura-early Muromachi period in Yamato province. They are called Yamato Goha(大和五派); Senjyuin(千手院), Shikkake (尻懸), Taima(当麻), Hosho(保昌) and Tegai(手掻) school. They served politically powerful monks and temples in Nara, such as Todaiji temples. They were initially forging swords for military monks who became powerful due to the government’s policy back then.

Monks needed many weapons as there were many political rivalries between influential temples. They required strong weapons like swords to protect themselves. During this time, Tegai school or other Yamato sword schools met the requests from monks. They also forged blades for Samurai during their heyday.

Koshirae: Koshirae is the mounting of the Japanese sword. There are several parts that consist of Koshirae such as Saya(Scabbard), Tsuka(Handle), Tsuba(Handguard).

If you focus on each part of this Koshirae, you will find that all the sword mountings are decorated with the Kiri (桐, paulownia) motif. As you see in this Koshirae, the Gosan-no-Kiri Monyou (五三の桐文様) is a popular design where the paulownia motif is used. According to a foreign tradition, Houou (鳳凰, Fenghuang, a kind of sacred beast) rests its wings on paulownia trees; therefore, it is regarded as a sacred plant.

The Kiri (桐) pattern is generally composed of three standing straight inflorescences and three leaves. The number of flowers blooming at each inflorescence shows the ranks of this design. It is also famous that one of the most popular Samurai in Japan: Toyotomi Hideyoshi (豊臣 秀吉, 1537-1598), used the Kiri pattern for his family crest. A theory says that Hideyoshi initially used the Omodaka (沢瀉, arrowhead) pattern as his family crest. However, Oda Nobunaga (織田 信長, 1534-1582), a well-known military commander in the Warring States period, permitted Hideyoshi to use the Kiri design. After the fall of the Muromachi Shogunate and the defeat of Nobunaga at the Honnouji (本能寺) temple, the reign of Hideyoshi finally started. Hideyoshi used this plant motif in various items such as clothes, furniture, decorations of his buildings, etcetera.

Moreover, he bestowed the Kiri crests to his subordinates with the clan name Hashiba (羽柴, Hideyoshi used this family name before the Toyotomi clan) or Toyotomi (豊臣). However, even among Hideyoshi’s subordinates, this Kiri crest was often given as a reward. However, some people began to use this family crest without permission, such as by borrowing or stealing it. In response to this situation, Hideyoshi enacted a law to limit the use of the Kiri crest, but the value of this design decreased considerably. Therefore, it is said that Hideyoshi used a unique design Kiri crest called the Taikou Giri (太閤桐) pattern to distinguish it from others. Through these processes, the Kiri crest became a familiar emblem not only for the privileged class, such as influential Samurai, but also for the middle class and the general public.

This plant pattern was once used by the imperial family and national leaders of the time. Today, this plant pattern is used as the crest of the Japanese Government. We hope that by introducing a little about the transition of this family crest, you will find the history of this design and its deep connection with the Samurai culture fascinating. Please enjoy this sword’s Koshirae with its blade.

Articles

Current and past articles I wrote

Articles

Current and past articles I wrote

Product filters