Information about a Fujishima katana?

[tklosterman]

Hello all,

 

I recently purchased this sword and was wondering if anyone could direct me to sources of information about it.  Included with the purchase was a copy of a sword journal page where it was referenced (the red boxed text).  I'm having trouble translating from Japanese and could not get a good answer from the seller (possible language issue) about why he thought the text specifically referred to this blade. 

 

In addition, the signature appears to be fujishima which would place this possibly in the muromachi ouei era.  I'm fascinated by this kind of history but in my limited experience and available books I haven't been able find great sources to dig into histories of lesser sword schools (at least in English).   I attached the NBTHK certificate in case that helps.  Apologies, in advance, for any fundamental ignorance on my part. 

 

Thank you for any help/information!

Sincerely,

Tristan

[Rivkin]

This is Kaga Fujishima and judging by a short nakago and exactly two shaku length this is uchi-gatana... which tend to be later, from 1500 onwards.

[tklosterman]

Thank you for the information.  Does the signature help point towards an individual smith/lineage?  I know the name is non-specific but as far as I can tell it seems many Kaga Fujishima smiths signed differently.   For example if I search for the signature on the ninhonto club website, I don't find a match.  Thanks!

 

"https://nihontoclub.com/view/smiths/meisearch?type=All&mei_op=contains&mei=fujishima"

 

I also attached a much better photo of the reference material the seller included. 

[Rivkin]

Not a specialist, but nijimei with them implies the mainline, i.e. someone like:

TOMOSHIGE (友重), 5th gen., Kōshō (康正, 1455-1457), Kaga – “Tomoshige” (友重), “Fujishima Tomoshige” (藤島友重), “Fujishima” (藤島), first name Jihei (次兵衛), chū-jō-saku

 

But I think that's 6th or 7th generation, though Markus Sesko's reference volume does not indicate those specifically as signing with nijimei.

Kaga nakago (as here) in Fujishima I think is also somewhat more popular with 6th+ generations, but I am not sure. So I would put it as Tomoshige between 5th and 7th, myself believe its 6th.

[SteveM]

The paper (I think a brochure or magazine from the seller, right?) indicates the dealer authenticated it to Ōei (1394-1428). They mention they base this judgment on the signature, and scrutinizing the sword against another one in their inventory. They don't mention a specific smith.  

[tklosterman]

Thanks! I appreciate the responses.