Japanese Katana Sword, Signed Kunishige - Early Edo (17th Century).

JAPAN - Early Edo period (17th century) Samurai Katana. KASHIRA in black lacquered metal. FUCHI in engraved, patinated and gilded copper depicting a chilling on a nanako background. TSUKA in wood covered with ray skin, braided with blue silk. MENUKIS in chiseled copper depicting a coiled dragon. TSUBA kaku-maru-gatta in wrought iron decorated with a chilling in clouds, the mimi gadrooned. SAYA in wood covered with glossy black lacquer. HABAKI in copper covered with a silver leaf hatched with oblique striations. Straight blade, regular hamon, straight and well marked, the tang pierced three times, signed KUNISHIGE (山城大掾源国重). He was most active in sword forging at the beginning of the Edo period (mid-17th century). Yamashiro Daijyo is the honorable title given to this swordsmith in the second year of the Shoho era (1646). He was the younger brother of Otsuki Yogoro Kunishige (third-generation Kunishige), the most respected swordsmith of the Mizuta school, located in Bitchu Province (present-day Okayama Prefecture). Yamato Daijyo Kunishige's real name was Ichizo. He also forged swords in Edo City with his son, the second-generation Yamashiro Daijyo Kunishige. The Mizuta school was founded by the descendants of Ko AOE Tametsugu in the late Muromachi period (1530-). Tametsugu is one of the most famous swordsmiths of the late Heian period and early Kamakura period (late 12th and early 13th centuries). One of his works is now designated a National Treasure of Japan. It was located in the city of Kurashiki, in present-day Okayama Prefecture. The AOE school flourished during the Kamakura-Nanbokucho period (late 12th century–late 14th century), but it almost disappeared during the Muromachi period. Thanks to Tametsugu's descendants, the Ko Aoe style sword became popular again. They revitalized the school by changing its name to the Bitchu Koku Mizuta school. The Bitchu Koku Mizuta school flourished from 1530 to 1700 (late Sengoku period to mid-Edo period) in present-day Okayama Prefecture. It lasted until the end of the Edo period. There were about 60 swordsmiths who belonged to the Mizuta school, and Kunishige was the most prestigious swordsmith name that only selected swordsmiths were allowed to use in this school. During the Edo period, many Kunishige swordsmiths settled in other parts of Japan. There were two main groups of Kunishige swordsmiths during the Edo period. One is called the Oyogo Kunishige school (大与五国重派) led by Master Otsuki and the other is called the Kono school led by Tameie. As he was the younger brother of Otsuki Yogoro Kunishige, this Kunishige belonged to the Oyogo Kunishige school. Yamato Daijyo Kunishige was a prestigious swordsmith. He used Kunishige as his maker name and was given the honorable title (Yamato Daijyo). Okayama Prefecture is located near the Chugoku Mountains, where iron sands, one of the essential materials for making Japanese swords, were abundant. In addition, Okayama Prefecture swordsmiths had close access to the Yoshi River for pure water and high-quality charcoal, which are essential for making great swords. This geological situation contributed to the blacksmiths forging refined, high-quality blades. We assume that Bichu was very active in sword forging since ancient times. Sold with the stand, its silk sheath for carrying. Dimensions: 101 x 7 x 7 cm. Cutting edge length: 68.3 cm. Curvature: 1.82 cm.