Fukuoka Ichimonji Chikafusa

[atm]

Per request from the Dai Token Ichi thread, here are photos of the blade I bought last November at the DTI from Tsuruginoya. It is a Fukuoka Ichimonji Chikafusa that has reached NBTHK Juyo Token. I apologize for my poor photo abilities. Capturing the intricacies of this blade is very difficult. To partially make up for that, here’s what Tanobe sensei said on the sayagaki (credit to @SteveM for the translation):

 

Designated Important Sword (Jūyō) at the 67th Jūyō Session
Bizen-no-kuni Fukuoka Ichimonji Chikafusa
Shortened a bit (machi-okuri), with a two-character name purposefully inscribed with a thick chisel into the tang which has been slightly cut off. The sword has a dignified shape, with a standard width, a deep koshi-zori, and the tip of the sword ending in inokubi style. The forging pattern is koitame, with a clear midare utsuri present, and a lustrous chōji midare with “fukuro chōji” showing as double-chōji in the hamon. There are ashi and yo in abundance, giving great beauty and a rich variety. This sword displays the elements of this school at its peak in the mid-Kamakura era. There are several swordsmiths with this name appearing in the indexes, which dates this sword circa Kenchō (1249-1256). This excellent sword is both a classic example of this school, as well as an outstanding item. 
Length 2 shaku, 3 sun, 2 bu (70.30cm)
An auspicious day in November, 2024
Recorded by Tanzan (monogram)

 

Interestingly, the NBTHK Juyo setsumei says, in part: “According to the swordsmith indexes, Chikafusa was a Fukuoka Ichimonji swordsmith, circa Jōkyū (1219-1222).” So there is a slight difference of opinion on which Chikafusa made this blade. In any event, I am quite happy with it. It was registered March 13, 1951.

[nulldevice]

Outstanding Adam! 
 

The hamon changing from more subtle near the nakago, to flamboyant fukuro chogi in the middle section, and back to more reserved in the monouchi is lovely. 
 

It adds another level of personality of the Chikafusa that forged this that I find fascinating!

[Brian]

I think that's the most "heart" likes I've seen on a post. Guess that indicates exactly how gorgeous this blade is. Congrats!

[Gakusee]

1 hour ago, Brian said:

I think that's the most "heart" likes I've seen on a post. Guess that indicates exactly how gorgeous this blade is. Congrats!

yes Brian, it is a gorgeous blade. ATM was lucky I only came for the second DTI day and looked at it too late ….

Well done on an excellent sword at excellent price. 
To me, that was the “steal” of the show in terms of quality per dollar basis. 

[Jacques]

At least you were able to buy with full knowledge of the facts, which is the only way for me to do it.

[atm]

Thanks @Gakusee. I was indeed lucky. You certainly would have beat me to it if you had seen it earlier. 

[Gakusee]

3 minutes ago, atm said:

Thanks @Gakusee. I was indeed lucky. You certainly would have beat me to it if you had seen it earlier. 

You should buy Mike Y at least a drink for that service  

He did pull one there….

 

 

2 hours ago, Jacques D. said:

At least you were able to buy with full knowledge of the facts, which is the only way for me to do it.

 

Well, Jacques, back then at the DTI it did not have the sayagaki. But of course it had the Juyo paper, one could handle it in person and discuss with other people (if in doubt) and Miyoga Jr san. So, these are indeed pretty much ideal circumstances for someone who is perhaps not too confident. 
 

All in all well done again! Enjoy it and learn from it - it has a lot to offer at all levels of scholarship. 

[GeorgeLuucas]

Stunning Adam! I imagine you're very proud to own such an amazing work of art and history.

I love the sugata, it screams 'old'. I imagine the sword offers endless enjoyment in-hand. 

Color me jealous 
Cheers,
-Sam
 

[Jacques]

What's astonishing is that this smith is hardly mentioned in literature (even Japanese).

[tom]

I can only congratulate you, if I had been there I would have bought it too.

 

Tom

[Jussi Ekholm]

That is absolutely amazing sword.

 

To give some idea about the rarity of Chikafusa (近房) tachi. In all my years of searching I have so far found only 3 signed tachi by this smith.

Kyoto National Museum has Jūyō Bunkazai tachi of 74,9 cm

There is 70,6 cm tachi that I do not yet know the provenance but it has been published by NBTHK

And there is this 70,3 cm Jūyō tachi.

[Lewis B]

22 hours ago, atm said:

 

 

Interestingly, the NBTHK Juyo setsumei says, in part: “According to the swordsmith indexes, Chikafusa was a Fukuoka Ichimonji swordsmith, circa Jōkyū (1219-1222).” So there is a slight difference of opinion on which Chikafusa made this blade. In any event, I am quite happy with it. It was registered March 13, 1951.

 

 

 

 

CHIKAFUSA (近房), Jōkyū (承久, 1219-1222), Bizen – “Chikafusa” (近房), Fukuoka-Ichimonji school, Chikafusa belonged to the goban-kaji list of emperor Gotoba that consisted of 24 smiths, therein we was working with Bungo Yukihira (豊後行平) in the fourth month, ko-midare mixed with ko-chōji in ko-nie-deki ◎

CHIKAFUSA (近房), Kōan (弘安, 1278-1288), Bizen – “Chikafusa saku” (近房作), Fukuoka-Ichimonji school, there exists a date signature of the second year of Kōan (1279), the hamon is more flamboyant than that of the Jōkyū-era (承久, 1219-1222) Chikafusa

 

It would seem there is a 3rd Chikafusa from the Koan era (1278-1288). A signed and dated example exists for 1279. Definitely much research is needed to tie down an attribution to one of the three smiths. Interestingly Markus doesn't reference the Tanobe attribution for a Chikafusa from the Kencho period. 

[atm]

@Jussi Ekholm I am always amazed by your database. To add another data point for you, the 2007-2008 Bizen Ichimonji Tradition book from the Sano Art Museum has a Jūyō Bunkazai tachi of 74.5 cm from a private collection. In my opinion, the mei on the tachi in this book is different than on mine. This book does not state a date for its tachi, other than Chikafusa (probably several) spanned Jōkyū to Kōan, as @Lewis B points out from Sesko.

 

Also, according to the Index of Japanese Sword Literature on jssus.org, Chikafusa is in the Zuikan Tomei Soran by Iida and the Nihonto Bizen Den Taikan by Okazaki. I am obtaining both of these books to further my research.

[Jussi Ekholm]

The Jūyō Bunkazai in Sano Art Museum Bizen book should be this one, as there is only 1 Jūyō Bunkazai by Chikafusa.

 

 

That sword is now in the collection of Kyoto National Museum, so possibly the private owner donated it to the museum. Many of the very top items get donated to museums or other institutions.

 

This is the other Chikafusa tachi, unfortunately this is the only picture I have of it.

 

 

It is amazing to think that the best and almost the only reference to your sword is a Jūyō Bunkazai blade.

[CSM101]

This is from the Nihonto Bizen Den Taikan, Page 122. Juyo Bunkazai.

[atm]

You are of course correct @Jussi Ekholm, it is indeed the same tachi. And the same as @CSM101 shows in the Nihonto Bizen Den Taikan. I sometimes forget that 2008 is now 17 year ago! Ownership can certainly change in that time.

[nulldevice]

This might he helpful here for future reference. 

 

http://www.nihonto-m...t/ko-bizen-chikakane

 

[Curran]

Just -wow-.

Hell of an acquisition.  Glad it is in the States, though on the wrong side of the US.