AS24039 Katana:Hōki Kami Fujiwara Nobutaka (3rd Generation)(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Katana: Katana in Shirasaya (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature: Hōki Kami Fujiwara Nobutaka (3rd Generation)
伯耆守藤原信高(3代)

Shinto: Upper-Middle Grade Saku / Owari
We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This work is ranked as Jyojyo Saku among works by Hōki no Kami Fujiwara Nobutaka (3rd Generation).
Habaki: Single-layered silver plated
Blade Length: 71.4 cm (28.11 in)
Curvature: 1.4 cm (0.55 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.247 cm (1.28 in)
Width at Tip (Sakihaba): 2.13 cm (0.84 in)
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.74 cm (0.29 in)
Sword Weight: 835 g
Era: Edo period, around Enpō era (circa late 1670s)
Shape: Wide blade with substantial thickness and moderate curvature. Kissaki slightly extended.
Jigane: Well-forged ko-itame hada with clear grain pattern.
Hamon: Nie-based gunome-midare with deep nioiguchi, showing sunagashi and kinsuji activities within the ha. Boshi forms midarekomi, long and rounded.

Features: The mei (signature style) of Hōki no Kami Fujiwara Nobutaka continued through around the 6th generation, and due to the similarity in inscription style, determining the exact generation can be difficult. I believe this piece is the work of the 3rd generation. The deep nioiguchi is a defining feature of his style, and is well-expressed in this blade.

Aoi Art’s Comment: The Owari domain was governed by Tokugawa Ieyasu’s 4th son, Matsudaira Tadayoshi, after the Battle of Sekigahara. He entered Kiyosu Castle with 520,000 koku, but died in 1607 without an heir, turning the domain into tenryō (shogunate land). Later, Tokugawa Yoshinao, Ieyasu’s 9th son and Tadayoshi’s younger brother, took over with 472,344 koku and moved from Kiyosu Castle to the newly built Nagoya Castle, thus establishing the Owari domain. Hōki no Kami Fujiwara Nobutaka was an active swordsmith in Owari and gained high praise. His style features bold gunome-midare with deep nioiguchi and dynamic variations. This is a particularly outstanding work by Nobutaka and is highly recommended.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token Certificate
Aoi Art estimation paper: Whole Oshigata