Introduction of the sword from Wakeido
Item number K380911
Sign Wakasanokami Fujiwara Ujifusa
Certification N.B.T.H.K Tokubetsu Hozon Touken(Special Preservation Sword)
Size Blade length 74.3 cm Curvature 1.35 cm Mekugi hole 1 Width at the base 30.7 mm Width at the tip 23 mm Thickness at the base 7.6 mm
Country Owari Province
Period Late Muromachi period, around Tensho
Shape Shinogi-zukuri, with an anmune, body width, and thickness slightly curved, with a rounded tip
Forging Well-formed itame-hada, with bright steel and fine ji-nuri
Hamon Irregular choji midare with five patterns, with a strong nioi and bright nioi-guchi
Boshi Irregular, rounded tip with a sweeping curve
Tang Unfinished, slightly raised at the edge, with cross-cut file marks
Shirasaya Yes
Explanation
Wakasanokami Ujifusa, initially known as Kanefusa, was the son of Kanefusa from Seki. He was invited to the provincial capital by Imagawa Ujizane to forge swords and was permitted to use the character 'Uji' in his name, becoming Ujifusa. He received the title of Wakasanokami in the 13th year of Eiroku and was active during the Genki and Tensho periods. Later, he moved to Owari and became a central figure in Owari swordsmithing along with his eldest son, Hida no Kami Ujifusa.
His style features choji blades with a nioi finish and strong nioi, as well as those with mixed patterns.
This piece exemplifies the former, showcasing a beautifully forged choji blade with a nioi finish, making it a masterpiece of Wakasanokami.
Show original text