AS26378 Katana: Bizen Suke Fujiwara Munetsugu 備前介藤原宗次 Keiou 4 Nen 8 Gatsu Hi 慶応四年八月日(August 1868) (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Ordering number:AS26378

Katana in Shirasaya (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature:
Bizen Suke Fujiwara Munetsugu 備前介藤原宗次
Keiou 4 Nen 8 Gatsu Hi 慶応四年八月日(August 1868)

(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku, and Regular Saku). This piece is rated as Jyo Saku for Bizen-no-suke Fujiwara Munetsugu.

Habaki: Plain copper single.
Blade Length: 68.9cm (27.1in)
Curvature: 1.0cm (0.4in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.3cm (1.3n)
Thickness: 0.9cm (0.4in)
Sword Weight: 805 grams
Era: the end of Edo period (1868)
Shape: wide and thick Hirauchi blade with Bo-hi carving.
Jigane: fine KO-irame hada looks plain.
Hamon: Nioi deki Gunome midare with pointed Boshi.

Features: This is very healthy blade with about 3cm of Ububa.
This Munetsugu is the same person as Koyama Munetsugu, 固山宗次. He is known as one of the best swordsmith of the Shinshinto era. Fujiwara Muneji, a swordsmith from Mutsu Shirakawa, was the same person as Gokuyama Muneji. He made swords for the Shirakawa Matsudaira family and later moved to Kuwana in accordance with a clan order. He moved to Edo in Tempo 1831. Many of his works have Saidan-mei and owner inscriptions, and it is thought that he was famous at the time and received orders from many Samurai. Munetsugu is said to have had a fastidiousness in refusing to sell his swords on the market if they had flaws. This work is a solid, sound piece with a 3 cm Ububa remaining.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Paper
AoiArt estimation paper
Whole Oshigata