Motoshige, Kamakura Circa 1299 AD., Soshu "Sadamune" School

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Juyo Motoshige

Kamakura Circa 1299 AD.

Soshu “Sadamune” School

Juyo token by the NBTHK

“MOTOSHIGE”, SOSHU DEN – BIZEN.

MOTOSHIGE WAS TRULY A MAKER OF DISTINGUISHED HERITAGE. HIS LINEAGE CAN BE TRACED TO TWO (BIZEN & SOSHU) OF THE MOST FAMOUS, AND POPULAR SCHOOLS OF SWORD MAKING. HIS GRANDFATHER, WAS THE FAMOUS “MORIIYE” OF BIZEN ( A NATIONAL TREASURE CLASS MAKER ). HIS SENSEI ( TEACHER ), WAS THE EXCEPTIONALLY FAMOUS “SADAMUNE”, THE SON OF SOSHU MASAMUNE, SAID TO BE THE GREATEST OF ALL MASTERS.

THIS FINE JUYO BLADE REFLECTS THE TRADITIONS OF BOTH OF THESE SCHOOLS.
HIS LIFE SPAN WAS AMAZINGLY LONG FOR SOMEONE IN THE 1300’S. HIS WORKING CAREER SPANNED NEARLY 60 YEARS! IT WAS ALSO SAID THAT MANY SAMURAI WHO CARRIED “MOTOSHIGE” BLADES, HAD LONG LIFE SPANS. FOR THESE REASONS HIS BLADES ARE THE SUBJECT OF MANY LEGENDS ABOUT BRINGING LONGEVITY TO THERE OWNERS, HIS WORKS HAVE BEEN VERY SOUGHT AFTER FOR CENTURIES. THIS BLADE IS MOUNTED IN “SHIRA-SAYA”, AND IN SUPERB ( RECENTLY POLISHED ) CONDITION ( ALMOST LIKE A SHINTO BLADE, AND QUITE HEAVY ). HIS WORK IS RATED “SAIJO SAKU” ( UPPER BEST ), AND HAS A SHARPNESS RATING OF “SAIJO O-WAZAMONO” ( ABSOLUTE SUPREME SHARPNESS ) THIS IS THE “HIGHEST OBTAINABLE” SHARPNESS RATING THAT CAN BE GIVEN, THE BLADE IS AMAZING.

Jūyō-tōken at the 47th jūyō shinsa held on October 11, 2001

katana, mumei: Motoshige (元重)

Tōkyō, Fukatsu Naoki (深津尚樹)

Measurements

nagasa 66.3 cm, sori 1.0 cm, motohaba 2.9 cm, sakihaba 2.2 cm, kissaki-nagasa 4.9 cm, nakago-nagasa 17.8 cm, no nakago-sori

Description

Keijō: shinogi-zukuri, iori-mune, wide mihaba, no noticeable taper, very shallow sori, ō-kissaki

Kitae: overall standing-out itame that is mixed with mokume and nagare and that features ji-nie, fine chikei, jifu, and a midare-utsuri

Hamon: based on an angular gunome in ko-nie-deki with a rather tight nioiguchi and mixed with gunome, ko-chōji, ko-gunome, prominent indentations referred to as negative togariba, ashi, yō, and a few kinsuji and sunagashi

Bōshi: notare-komi with a brief kaeri that tends to yakitsume

Horimono: on both sides a bōhi with ryō-chiri and a soebi that both run as kaki-nagashi into the tang

Nakago: ō-suriage, kirijiri, kiri-yasurime, two mekugi-ana, mumei

Explanation

Motoshige (元重) was a smith of the Bizen Osafune School, but belonged to a different local lineage than for example Kanemitsu (兼光) and Chōgi (長義). We know dated works from the end of the Kamakura period, i.e. the Shōwa era (正和, 1312-1317), to the mid-Nanbokuchō period, i.e. the Jōji era (貞治, 1362-1368), and there exists the theory that two generations have been active over that period of time. As for Motoshige’s workmanship, he forged a kitae that is mixed with nagare-masame and jifu and hardened a hamon with prominent angular gunome, slanting elements, and hataraki like saka-ashi and yō, and with the pointed kaeri, we recognize certain Aoe (青江) elements. This tendency towards Aoe is regarded as a characteristic feature of Motoshige.

This blade shows an overall standing itame that is mixed with mokume and nagare and that features ji-nie, fine chikei, jifu, and a midare-utsuri. The hamon is based on an angular gunome in ko-nie-deki with a rather tight nioiguchi and is mixed with gunome, ko-chōji ko-gunome, ashi, yō, kinsuji, and sunagashi. Thus, the interpretation clearly reflects the characteristic features of Motoshige. In addition, particularly the ji showing a midare-utsuri whose antai is mixed with jifu and the hamon being based on an angular gunome that is frequently interrupted by indentations that are referred to as negative togariba is very typical for the smith. The blade feels massive in hand and has plenty of niku and we have here a textbook example of Motoshige that is of an outstanding deki.

This Sword is not available for purchase.

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