Type: Shinto wakizashi

Nagasa: 51.5 cm Moto-haba: 2.9 cm Saki-haba: 1.9 cm

Sugata: A slender shinogi-zukuri with low iori-mune, a shallow tori-zori and a chu-kissaki.

Jihada: A loose itame mixed with mokume and nagare, some kizu.

Hamon: A shallow notare-midare in nie and nioi with  occasional gunome and choji like inclusions.   Maru boshi with short kaeri.

Nakago: Ubu nakago with a single mekugi-ana, kiri-yasurime, ha-agari kuri-jiri, signed on the omote   HIZEN (no) KAMI SHIGENORI.

This long wakizashi has a slender appearance but looks a little weak in the mono-uichi area. This is emphasised by the fukura on the kissaki which lacks fullness. This may be the result of repair at some stage but this is difficult to accurately ascertain. The jihada looks very loose and untidy throughout and there are "carbon pockets" or kizu included.

The nakago also seems to have been the subject of misuse as there is some damage to the hasaki side. The mei, however, is well cut on the omote with a reasonably thin chisel. The hamon has a quite an irregular pattern and is mostly formed of ko-nie. Few hataraki are present. (the oshigata below may give the impression that the hamon is far more defined pronounced than the actuality).

I have not been able to find much information on Shigenori other than that contained in Hawley’s Japanese Swordsmiths (SHI 414). Here he states that the mei also includes "Minamoto" and that he came from Mino to Musashi, presumably to Edo. Later Shigenori was awarded the title of Higo (no) Kami and his working date was 1684. This is the Joko era which was immediately followed by the Genroku era. At this time there was little demand for swords and consequently no swordsmiths of any note are recorded.

Although the blade is not of great quality, the koshirae of the sword is of some interest. The saya is of the ribbed inro style and lacquered bright red. The fuchi-kashira and tsuba are of iron and there are floral soft metal designs on the former. I believe these are in a Higo style and the red saya was of the type favoured by the Satsuma shishi of the Meiji restoration wars.

Clive Sinclaire

Bexley

February 2010