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Lot Essay
Accompanied by a certificate of registration as Tokubetsu Juyo Token [Especially Important Sword] no. 10199615 issued by the Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai [Society for the Preservation of the Japanese Art Sword] at the 15th Tokubetsu Juyo Shinsa on April 28th 1998
Norishige was a native of Gofuku Go in Etchu Province who had studied under Shintogo Kunimitsu of Soshu Province, and is currently believed to have been fellow pupil of Kunimitsu together with Masamune and Yukimitsu. There are many signed tanto by Norishige, but few signed tachi. His blade characteristics are similar to those of Masamune and Yukimitsu, but with a unique hada of itame with thick lines of nie, of swirling or flowing appearance known as 'matsukawa hada' [pine bark skin]. Like that of Masamune his hamon owed much to that of Yasutsuna of Hoki Province and the Ko-Bizen smiths, and looks ancient with a dark aspect. At first sight this blade appears quieter than Norishige's usual work, but upon looking closely all the powerful characteristics of his work are present in a dignified composition. It is a masterpiece by the smith.
The sayagaki by Tanobe Michihiro attributes the blade to Norishige and gives the dates of both Juyo Token and Tokubetsu Juyo Token designation.
Norishige was a native of Gofuku Go in Etchu Province who had studied under Shintogo Kunimitsu of Soshu Province, and is currently believed to have been fellow pupil of Kunimitsu together with Masamune and Yukimitsu. There are many signed tanto by Norishige, but few signed tachi. His blade characteristics are similar to those of Masamune and Yukimitsu, but with a unique hada of itame with thick lines of nie, of swirling or flowing appearance known as 'matsukawa hada' [pine bark skin]. Like that of Masamune his hamon owed much to that of Yasutsuna of Hoki Province and the Ko-Bizen smiths, and looks ancient with a dark aspect. At first sight this blade appears quieter than Norishige's usual work, but upon looking closely all the powerful characteristics of his work are present in a dignified composition. It is a masterpiece by the smith.
The sayagaki by Tanobe Michihiro attributes the blade to Norishige and gives the dates of both Juyo Token and Tokubetsu Juyo Token designation.