Archived Nihonto.ca (Yuhindo.com): Koyama Munetsugu

Koyama Munetsugu

Koyama Munetsugu was born in Shirakawa, Oshu, and is the younger brother of Koyama Tadatsuna. He worked for the Han samurai of the Kuwana Han, who extensively tested the swords he supplied, no doubt helping him refine their cutting ability.

The Nihonto Koza states that he is the likely the foremost master of Bizen style during the Shinshinto period, which is high praise indeed. This wakizashi was made in 1847 when he was 45 years old, and in regards to works of this period the Nihonto Koza says:

The works of the Tenpo era (1830-1844) in particular are nothing but amazing [TN: Literally, they pull your eyes out].

While this smith put an emphasis on Bizen style, often utilizing muji hada, he did make works in other styles from time to time as a diversion. This is one of these pieces, a gorgeous wakizashi done in Soshu style. It is full of vibrant silvery nie in a mixed hamon of choji and gunome midare, packed with yo, sunagashi, kinsuji, that brings to mind the works of Go Yoshihiro and Shizu. The use of nie is nicely balanced, making one think of wind whipped spray off of deep ocean rollers. The ko-itame hada is very pleasant to look at.

Fujishiro rates Munetsugu at Jo-jo saku for a high degree of excellence in craft, and as one of the top smiths of the Shinshinto period. There is a substantial and interesting entry on this smith, and I will quote it here:

… [Munetsugu] was in the Kato Tsunahide Mon, and was called Koyama Sobei. Also, he had the Go of Issensai or Seiryosai. He went to Edo and became the swordsmith of the Kuwana Han, and he lived in Asabu Nagasaka and Yotsuya Samon-cho. He underwent training in the sharpness of blades with Yamada Asauemon and Iga Tomo nado. He received the title of Bizen no Suke in Koka Ninen (1845), and there are works remaining from up until the beginning of Meiji.There is a story that, when Minamoto Kiyomaro began a sword industry in Yotsuya Iga-cho, since it is said that he did not notice Munetsugu, who was living in Samon-cho at the same time, Munetsugu became angry and sent him a letter of challenge. This is an interesting affair which illustrates and reminds us of the disposition of swordsmiths. His works include some with a ji of strong ko-mokume and some with o-itame hada, and hamon is nioi shimari gonome choji. Also, there are horimono which are thought to have been made by him, and I have seen engravings of ryu and kenmakiryu.

This kind of sword can find its way into all types of collections. It is a great study piece, one with a lot of beauty, and represents the work by one of the significant and important smiths of the Shinshinto period.