Archived Nihonto.ca (Yuhindo.com): Monju Shigekuni
Monju Shigekuni
| period: | Shinto (ca. 1655) |
| designation: | NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token |
| nakago: | ubu, one mekugiana |
| nagasa: | 60.96cm |
| mei: | Oite Kishu Monju Shigekuni Tsukuru Kore |
| motohaba: | 3.18cm |
| sakihaba: | 1.9cm |
| price: | N/A |
This is a katana by the Nidai Shigekuni, who worked around 1655. Fujishiro rates him as Jo-saku for a high degree of skill in manufacture and sharpness testing has resulted in a rating of wazamono for keen cutting ability. He is the son of Nanki Shigekuni, one of the small numbers of Sai-jo saku Shinto smiths.
Fujishiro notes that he was the kaji companion of Tokugawa Yorinobu. Yorinobu was the 8th son of the first Tokugawa Shogun Ieyasu and the founder of the Kishu Tokugawa, one of the Three Great Houses. The relationship is not further described, but it seems to be implied that he made swords for this important family.
Monju Shigekuni is rated Wazamono for excellent cutting ability.
Shigekuni Katana
This particular katana is on the short side, but is well balanced and made. It’s a pleasure in the hand as the sugata curves nicely and shows quite a bit of taper. It has been preserved in good condition, and this in combination with the maker’s reputation has resulted in the Tokubetsu Hozon designation. The style reminds me of Osaka Shinto, but it is a large patterned gunome and choji midare in nie rather than the toranba associated with that school.
The jigane is well forged with many ji nie and fine chikei in a ko-itame pattern. Running masame through the ha shows some association perhaps with his skillful teacher the Shodai who worked in the Yamato den, and results in long kinsuji and sunagashi through the hamon. All told it is a very pleasant sword by one of the skillful makers of the Shinto tradition.