A YOSHIIE WAKIZASHI
Overview
Type: Ubu Wakizashi (SIGNED and DATED) and in original condition
Item No.: ujwa055
Swordsmith: Kayoukinbu no Ju Fujiwara no Yoshiie
(Yoshiie of the Fujiwara clan living in Kayoukinbu – an area of ancient Kaga province)
(Yoshiie of the Fujiwara clan living in Kayoukinbu – an area of ancient Kaga province)
Dated: A Beautiful Day in the 8th month of the 3rd year of Enpo = (August 1675)
Location: Kaga province (modern-day Kanazawa prefecture)
Length: 53.9cm
Curvature: 0.4cm
Hamon: Notare Midare (undulating waves)
Koshirae: This sword comes with BOTH a koshirae (mounting) and signed shirasaya (magnolia wood scabbard)
Certification: VINTAGE NBTHK TOKUBETSU KICHO (A sword designated as Especially Precious by the Society for the Preservation of the Japan Art Sword)
Included: NBTHK certificate, koshirae (mounting), shirasaya scabbard, traditional katana carry bags, sword maintenance kit, illustrated maintenance guide, DVD of the Art of the Japanese Sword, sword stand, full exportation support to send sword to home country
This sword has been sold
Description:
Yoshiie (sometimes read Yoshiiye) was a highly ranked swordsmith, rated as a Jo-Saku (superior swordsmith) by Fujishiro.
The sunagashi (sweeping waves of sand) seen in the hamon (temper line) speak to the absolute quality of the workmanship in this sword. It gives the impression that the sword was gently brushed by the artist.
Born “Susaki Kichiemon”, Yoshiie engraved on the nakago (tang) both his smith AND his name at birth in addition to the Darani School he belonged to, making this wakizashi very rare.
The nakago (tang) is dated as being a beautiful day in August 1675 (3rd year of Enpo, 8th month), plus the sword is certified as “especially precious” by the NBTHK (Society for the Preservation of the Japan Art Sword).
The Edo-period koshirae (mountings) are culturally very symbolic and expertly crafted. They are a beautiful collage of pure gold dragons with gold-leaf traditional Japanese musical instruments on an old iron tsuba (guard) from the 1700s.
Darani is a school of swordsmiths that followed the Mino tradition, which has its roots date back in the Nambokucho period (~1336-1392). Yoshiie’s teacher was Ietada, a true master who was regarded as the most skilled swordsmith in Kaga province.
About Kaga province (Kanazawa)…
Kaga province (now known as Kanazawa prefecture) has had a significant influence on the finer aspects of Japanese culture for several centuries. It is the place where one can discover an abundance of valuable arts and crafts such as Kaga-yuzen (kimono dye-ing process), Kanazawa-haku (gold-leaf decoration), Kanazawa-shikki (lacquer), Kaga-makie (lacquer decoration), Kutani-yaki and Ohi-yaki (pottery).
It is also well-known for being a place where Noh-gaku (Noh musical drama) prospered from the Edo period.
During the Edo period, Kaga-han was a powerful feudal domain, which was founded by Toshiie Maeda. The Maeda line ruled the area, which included Kaga, Noto, Ettchu (the area of Ishikawa and Toyama prefecture) from 1583 to 1868.
The degree of wealth generated in Kanazawa was second only to the Tokugawa Shogunate in Japan, which was over one million-koku. They owned the great Kanazawa castle and Kenroku-en, which is one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan.
In 1675 (the year this sword was made), the Lord of Kaga-han was Tsunanori Maeda. All of the lords of Kaga-han (Kaga clan) tended to encourage learning and literary arts and made effort to develop them, however, it was Tsunanori Maeda who put an actual worth on such cultural achievements.
This Japanese sword represents the dedication, pride and cultural responsibility of what it meant to be a Samurai.
The sword was further registered in Showa 26, 1951 when only Daimyo (great) families were invited to register their swords. This holds tremendous significance and value in the world of Japanese swords.
Highly recommended.
Photos (click for larger view!)
*All photos taken professionally by Eric Bossick for Unique Japan
Above and Below: The koshirae (mounts) for this special wakizashi.
Above: The three depictions on the tsuba are related to “Gagaku“, meaning old Japanese court music. The top and middle are parts of Kotsuzumi (Drum), and the bottom is of a Biwa, a four string Japanese flute.
These old Japanese musical instruments are used in Nohgaku (a traditional Japanese musical drama called Noh), suggesting a the owner was a proud Samurai in Kaga (where this sword was made). The Kaga clan had tremendous financial power and brought abundant cultural developments during the Edo period to the country.
Dated: A beautiful day on the 8th month, 3rd year of ENPO (August, 1675) by Darani Kichiemon (Yoshiie’s birth name in combination with the Darani School he belonged to.)
Above: Engraving reads: “Kayoukinbu no Ju Fujiwara no Yoshiie” (Swordsmith Yoshiie of the Fujiwara clan living in Kayoukinbu – an area of ancient Kaga province)
(Above and Below) A dragon slithers round the fuchi (collar)
Below: An imposing 3-clawed Japanese dragon
Dragons are also found in the menuki (ornamental grips under the silk hilt)
Above & Below: The shirasaya is signed with the engraving found on the nakago of the sword (Yoshiie’s names and the crafted date)
The sword’s lovely antique koshirae bag (above) and it’s shirasaya carry bag (below)
Below: The sword’s NBTHK Tokubetsu Kicho certificate (A sword judged as especially precious by the Society for the Preservation of the Japan Art Sword)
Above: The sword’s old torokusho (registration card from Showa 26 – 1951). This suggests that the sword was held by a Damiyo (Great) family. The writing is all in old Japanese characters!
Questions?
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