A Fukuoka-Ichimonji Norifusa Ô-Wakizashi (福岡一文字則房)

This rare ô-wakizashi has been attributed by the NBTHK to the famed Fukuoka-Ichimonji school of the golden Kamakura period. The NTHK-NPO took the attribution a step further to that of Ichimonji Norifusa – one of the most important Ichimonji swordsmiths to have lived. The Fukuoka-Ichimonji school derived its name from the village of Fukuoka in Bizen province, where these talented smiths worked. Their iconic chiselled ‘ichi‘ (number one) on the nakago will forever stand in the annals of history. Norifusa was born Takazu Umanosuke, flourished during the Kenchô era (1249-1256), and along with his brothers Yoshifusa and Sukezane is considered one of the three most important Ichimonji smiths. Two swords by Norifusa have reached the highest honour of Kokuhô (National Treasure), and he is rated jôjô-saku (highly superior) by Fujishiro.

The jihada with its beautifully swirling itame-hada overlaid with midare-utsuri transports us instantly to 13th-century Bizen. The jigane carries a characteristic bluish tinge, shining with ko-nie crystals – a mark of swords crafted at the highest level. Holding the blade quietly under the light is where it truly comes into its own. The exuberant chôji-midare hamon fills the ji with life: gorgeous variations from tight clustered juka-chôji in the lower sections to more spaced-out forms toward the monouchi, the hamon stretching in ô-chôji all the way to the very base. Gold kinsuji lines and brushed sunagashi complete a spectacle that captures both the heart and the imagination.

The shirasaya carries sayagaki authentication on both sides – by the former Living National Treasure Hon’ami Nisshû (1979) and by Tanobe Michihiro (2016) – a remarkable pairing of the two most eminent authenticators of the modern era. The sword is accompanied by both the original NBTHK Jûyô Tôken certificate (26th session, 1979) and the NTHK-NPO Yûshûsaku certificate (2020), along with a gold habakiwith straight file marks.