Summary

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).

Horimono

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.

This blade was appraised as a Tokubetsu Hozon 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.

Fuchi-Kashira：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.