Antique Nihonto Katana Signed by Fujiwara Naomune NBTHK HOZON TOKEN and NTHK TOKUBETSU KICHŌ TŌKEN Koshirae

Authentic Nihontō Japanese Sword Katana Signed by Matsuzaki Sota Fujiwara Naomune 松﨑早太藤原直宗 NBTHK HOZON TŌKEN and NTHK TOKUBETSU KICHŌ TŌKEN Koshirae

This sword is the work of 直宗 (Naomune), the son of 大慶直胤 (Taikei Naotane). It features a slender body with a notable difference between the base and tip, giving it an elegant and refined appearance. The sword has a single groove (刀樋) on the front and a double groove (二本樋) on the back. Despite its width, the thickness is considerable. The steel has a well-forged 小板目肌 (ko-itame hada) with fine, densely packed ji-nie. The 刃文 (hamon) is a bright and clear gunome-midare with angular edges, kataochi style, choji, and pointed sections. There are frequent ashi, occasional reverse ashi, visible sunagashi and kinsuji, and long streaks of nie in some places, with clusters of small nie. The 帽子 (boshi) is midare-komi on both sides, with a rounded, slightly deep return and a slight sweep.

The tang (茎) is rounded on both the ridge (棟) and edge sides, with a kurijiri tip. The file marks (鑢目) are decorative large diagonal lines, similar to the works of Naotane that imitate Bizen Kagemitsu and Kanemitsu. Naotane's works often feature a traditional tachi shape, and this piece by Naomune also showcases such elements with a gunome-based hamon, angular edges, and kataochi style. While the hamon may be irregular compared to Naotane's works, it highlights Naomune's skill and distinctive style.

Furthermore, this sword was featured in the "刀剣美術" (Token Bijutsu) magazine, October 2003 issue (No. 561), in an article titled "On 'Matsuzaki Naomune,' the Real Son of Shoji Naotane - Based on New Historical Materials from the Mizuno Clan of the Yamagata Domain." The article is introduced with references from pages 2 to 10 of Token Bijutsu No. 561.

Bare weight: 704 grams.
Weight with koshirae and without scabbard: 1,087 grams.

Nihontō Information