TAKEDA

Fujiwara Takeda (fss-514)

Mei: mumei   Date: 1600's
Nagasa : 26 3/4 "
Sori: 6.0mm
Width at the ha-machi: 29.5mm
Width at the yokote: 23.2mm
Thickness at the mune-machi: 6.6mm
Construction: shinogi-zukuri
Mune: iori
Nakago: ubu
Kitae: ko-itame
Hamon: gunome ko-midare
Boshi:  ko-maru
Condition:  good polish

The Bungo province in Kyushu produced such excellent sword-smiths as Yukihira in the Koto times. The Bungo Takada school was founded by Tomoyuki in the Nanbokucho period. Tomoyuki is considered to have been a superior sword-smith. With the passage of time it is generally felt that the quality and style declined and by the Muromachi period all of the works were pretty much the same. Members of this school are also known as Fuijwara Takada because they used Fujiwara as a family name in their signatures.

There are different schools of thought on the quality of Bungo works made in the Shinto period. An immediate response from many "sword experts" when Bungo works are mentioned is that they are not swords of great quality. Others feel that they are good swords. Perhaps a foundation of this difference of opinion is that if you look at the structure of Bungo Takada swords, you will see that they were made to satisfy practical rather than artistic needs. Indeed, at times they were sought out because of their cutting ability and sturdiness.

It is said that the founder of Bungo Takada school was Tomomitsu or Tomoyuki.
Takada Swordsmiths in Shinto age engrave the last name "Fujiwara", and so they are called also Fujiwara Takada.
The neighbor of the Takada school was Hizen school.
Hizen sword makers were controlled by Nabeshima daimyo and imported western steel.
Takada school made swords that cut well.
Early stage from late Muromachi to Kanbun era, Takada school swords were prized highly for cutting very well and for good sound jigane.

This sword is very beautiful and well made showing the true quality made by the takada smiths. The sword is a tightly forged ko-itame which reminds one of the Hizen hada. There is much ji-nie with a brilliant moist misty quality to it. The hamon is a thick undulating gunome-midare. A gorgeous quality blade.

The Koshirae is stunning with a scholar motif finished in shakudo and gold. The saya is a black lacquer and black ito and black sageo to finish.

The sword is a 26+" and is attributed to fujiwara takeda from the Shinto period mounted in shirasaya and koshirae. A great package papered and polished and ready for the collector.

  

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FULL IMAGE

 

Details

*Note*
THIS SWORD COMES IN SHIRASAYA AND HAS A TSUNAGI FOR THE MOUNTS.


 

KOSHIRAI
 

The Carp or 'Koi' is a central image of 'Bushido' the rigid code of the 'Samurai', the ancient warriors of Japanese tradition. The Samurai revered the carp because of its courage. It appeared to them as if the fish when caught went to it's death on the chopping board with a stoical indifference. They often had huge embodiments of the koi tattooed onto their bodies. This form of 'talismanic magic' is common to many warrior traditions and is the foundation of more than one tattoo tradition.
The symbol of youth, bravery, perseverance, strength, and self-defense in Japan and Korea. According to Japanese mythology, there lives a big carp, nine feet long, in Lake Biwa and which devours people who drown there. On May 5 the Festival of Boys is celebrated. In this festival the carp is the most prominent ornament, and is hung on trees and walls.

 In Japanese symbolism the koi represents perserverance in adversity and strength of purpose. The strongest koi swims upstream until it reaches the final waterfall, where it vaults into the mists and becomes a water dragon.

PAPERS

KANTEISHO
DEN FUJIWARA TAKADA
SH�SHIN
Length: 2 shaku 2 sun 5 bu
February 10, 2012

No. 17658
Mei inscription; MUMEI
Kitae: Ko-itame
Hamon: Gonome and ko-midare
B�shi: Sugu(ba) ko-maru
Nakago: Two mekugi ana, yasurime  sujikai
Remarks: Bungo no Kuni, around ENP� (1673-1681)

~SOLD~

This sword is on consignment.

Order number  for this item is : fss-514

Email us if your interested in this item at  info@nihontoantiques.com

 

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