UK Sword Register

No. 57

Type: Koto wakizashi

Nagasa: 44.6cm

Moto-haba: 2.9 cm

Saki-haba: 1.8 cm

Sugata: Slim shinogi-zukuri. chu-kissaki and pronounced saki-zori.

Jihada: Itame-mokume hada. Ji-nie and faint bo-utsuri. Some tsukare especially on the ura.

Hamon: Nioi-deki with some nie, gunome-choji based on ko-midare with the occasional togari, many short sunagashi and some longer, on the omote. Ko-midare on the ura with fewer hataraki. The boshi is slightly pointed with kaeri.

Nakago: Suriage and machi-okuri with 2 mekugi-ana. Signed on the omote: BISHU OSAFUNE NORIMITSU and dated on the ura SHOCHO NINEN HACHI GATSU NICHI (1429)

The saki-zori, the nioi based hamon and the mokume in the jihada, indicate this is relatively early Bizen work from the Muromachi period whilst the bo-utsuri hints at Oei period as the time of manufacture. Both the hamon and jihada on this sword has a different character on either side. The hamon on the omote is far more intricate and contains more hataraki than that of the ura whilst the jihada on omote displays a compact itame-mokume. The ura, on the other hand has looser jihada and less active hamon. This difference between both sides is apparently often found in the workmanship of the early swords and represents tsukare or tiredness after many polishes. Fortunately although suriage the mei remains virtually intact.

The first generation Norimitsu was of the Nagamitsu mon working in the late Kamakura and early Nambokucho periods in Osafune of Bizen province. The relatively early date on this sword might indicate the early work of the 4^th generation or the late work of the 3^rd generation. Both of these swordsmiths were active in the so-called Oei Bizen school (working from the 1^st year of the Oei period through to the Onin period, after this time they were known as Sue- Bizen or later- Bizen swordsmiths when the main production was Kazu-uichimono of lower quality).

The 4^th generation, whose name was Gorozaemonnojo straddled the two periods mentioned above. He was born around 1405, as is evidenced by a blade made in Bunmei 9^th year stating that he was 72 years old at the time. If he made the sword profiled here, it means that he was 24 years old at that time. Some members will recall the exceptionally large odachi by Norimitsu, owned by Kibitsu Jinja in Okayama, at the special exhibition of Japanese swords at Tokyo National Museum in 1997. Fujishiro rates him as Chujosaku and his blades a Ryowazamono (supremely sharp).

Clive Sinclaire, Bexley May 2002

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