Bizen Province, Mid-Kamakura Period (13th C.)／Iron, forged
Blade length 72.0 cm, Sori (curvature) 2.2 cm
SUMMARY
This blade has noticeable width and a high level of curvature near the base, and its mid-sized tip is proportionately slightly shorter than the length of the blade would proscribe – all of which are characteristic of the strong swords of the mid Kamakura period. It is a thick blade, and reflects the figure of how swords would have been at that time. The well-tempered ferrite displays a clear pattern of waves stretching towards the tip, gorgeous as blooming flowers, overlapping with some “tadpole pattern” – signifying the power and strength of the sword, truly an incomparable example, manifesting the essence of the Fukuoka Ichimonji school. Formerly of the collection of Morisada Hosokawa, and designated as an important cultural property in 1950.
ARTIST
Fukuoka-Ichimonji
Fukuoka-Ichimonji is the school of sword-making that followed on from the Old Bizen school of the Heian era, and flourished during the early to mid Kamakura era. The name resulted from many members of the school living in the Bizen area of Fukuoka, and their convention of engraving the letter Ichi (一 “one”) on the swords they produced. This convention is said to have started from the retired Emperor Gotoba’s compliment that their products were the number one in the nation. The characteristic of the Fukuoka-Ichimonji school is that, unlike the tempered edges of Old Bizen swords with their narrow blades and grain-like marks, it favored a wide edge with fine spreading patterns, as gorgeous as flowers, overlapping the cutting blade.
List of artworks by the same artist
INFORMATION
Sunday, July 1 - Sunday, August 19, 2018
Beautiful Blades – the collection of TOKYO FUJI ART MUSEUM and Excellent swords in Fukushima – Fukushima Museum (Fukushima, Japan)
Saturday, January 13 - Monday, February 12, 2018
TEKKARYOURAN: The Beauty of Japanese Swords Tokushima city Tokushima Castle Museum (Tokushima, Japan)
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