UK Sword Register

No. 44

Type: Shinshinto Naginata

Nagasa: 59.9cm

Saki –haba: 4.1 cm

Moto-haba: 3.0 cm

Sugata: Naginata-zukuri, saki-zori, mitsu-mune, naginata-hi.

Jihada: Ko-mokume hada with Ji-nie, some chikei.

Hamon: Nioi-deki with some nie, choji-gunome midare, kinsuji in the midare-komi boshi with kaeri, many ashi, some yo.

Nakago: Ubu with one mekugi-ana, sujikai yasuri with kesho finish, the lower part sensui. Signed on the omote KOYAMA BIZEN (no) SUKE MUNETSUGU and dated on the ura, ANSEI GONEN HACHI GATSU NICHI (1858). The nakago is 56.0 cm in length.

This magnificent naginata immediately gives the impression of great strength and power, whilst the long fukura (the cutting edge at the kissaki) looks extremely sharp. Its magnificent and robust sugata could only have been made by a master craftsman, as indeed it was. A close inspection of the jihada reveals a beautiful and homogenous ko-mokume, which is liberally covered with ji-nie. This reminds one of a very calm pond that is suddenly sprinkled with a fine but sharp summer shower of rain; it is a far cry from the normal muji-hada of many shinshinto blades. The hamon, which is mainly made up of nioi, has some nie especially in the tani or valleys of the choji-gunome midare where many short ashi appear. The hamon resembles early Bizen-ichimonji work and is very active but neither too flamboyant nor overstated and perfectly in proportion to the rest of the blade. Made when the smith was 54 or 55 years old it is obvious that considering the difficult shape to this blade, that although the smith my have matured in years, he was still at the peak of his skill. The top class of polish that it enjoys also splendidly enhances the blade and allows full appreciation.

The maker, Koyama Munetsugu may be considered to be the best shinshinto swordsmith working in Bizen-den. Born in 1802 or 1803 in Oshu Shirakawa his personal name was Koyama Sobei and he was also variously known as Issensei or Seiryosai. He learned sword making in the Kato Tsunahide school, but appears to have been more influenced by Tsunahide’s younger brother, Chounsai Tsunatoshi, judging from his Bizen style workmanship. Masatsugu was employed in the Kuwana Han by Lord Matsudaira and received the title of Bizen (no) Suke in 1843. It may be speculated that this particular title was granted because of his expertise in the Bizen style of swordmaking.

Having worked in both Owari province and Kuwana and frequently travelled back and forth from Edo, Munetsugu eventually settled down in the Yotsuya Samon-cho area of Edo. Fujishiro relates an interesting story of Munetsugu when he resided in this district. At the same time, close by in Yotsuya Iga-cho, Kiyomaro started in his own sword business but failed to acknowledge Munetsugu’s existence. This greatly angered Munetsugu who sent a letter to Kiyomaro issuing some kind of challenge. Fujishiro comments that "this interesting affair reminds us of the disposition of swordsmiths".

It appears that Munetsugu collaborated with Yamada Asaemon Yoshitoshi, a professional sword tester, in the study of cutting efficiency as many of his works are engraved with the results of these tests. Nagayama sensei also states that he made swords for a number of personalities of the time including Lord Furukawa, a popular wrestler named Inazuma Raigoro, master metal worker Goto Ichijo as well as the aforementioned tester Yamada. This shows that, as with Kiyomaro at the same time, Munetsugu’s talent and reputation were well respected and understood even whilst he was alive.

In 1860, Munetsugu changed his yasuri from the sujikai shown in this current example, to kiri. It was thought that this might indicate the work of the second generation, but the existence of a blade showing this feature together with an inscription stating Munetsugu’s age as being 66, seems conclusive proof that this was done in Munetsugu’s later years. He seems to be rated at least as highly as the other shinshinto "big names" such as Masahide, Naotane, Unju Korekazu and Chounsai Tsunatoshi, if only considering those who worked in Bizen-den. Koyama Munetsugu died in 1872 at the age of 70.

His students and associates included his brothers Munehiro and Munetoshi as well as his son Kenryusai Munetsugu. Also included are Kubota Muneaki and Seishosai Muneari both of who seem also to have been interested in the practical aspects of the Japanese sword in the same manner as Munetsugu.

Fujishiro rates him as JoJoSaku.

This naginata was exhibited in London at To-ken Taikai ’99 in November 1999. It is one of only two naginata by Koyama Munetsugu to be awarded Juyo To-ken status by the Nihon Bijutsu To-ken Hozon Kyokai.

NB: The oshigata of the Mei are actual size, the other is reduced to approximately 10% to 15% of its original size

Clive Sinclaire, Jan 2000

Bexley, Kent

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