Ukai Moritsugu

[Gabriel L]

EDIT: NM, I found the right smith! Somehow I overlooked the Ukai Moritsugu in my first literature pass. D'oh! Still seems to be little info on this Moritsugu. Honma Junji mentions "Incidentally, I have seen two tachi with the inscription of ‘Bizen no Kuni Ju Moritsugu’ and they appear to belong to the Ukai school inferring from their workmanships and chiselling styles. ‘Haya Midashi’ says that they were active in The Rekio Era as was the 1st Unji."

 

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I was admiring this fantastic Moritsugu. However, I was a little confused by the (Japanese) description, especially since I don't know Japanese. It seems that they are drawing some kind of connection to the Ukai school 宇甘派, but as far as I can tell this Moritsugu is Aoe 青江. Can anyone give a summary of Katana no Kura's blurb?

 

In any case it's a gorgeous example.

 

Cheers,

—G.

[Darcy]

Yes that wonderful sword is Ukai Moritsugu. At a glance I would have gone on to Aoe but the Tokuju paper and the blurb refer to Ukai and talk about Unju., etc. The sword looks like a Jubi. At 79cm and with signature, rare work of a smith and in top form, it makes me think that probably many of the mumei Unsho and Unju may be by this smith.

 

I think it is a true collector's blade and a treasure.

[Brian]

That is a beautiful sword!

 

Brian