* Image is for illustrative purposes only.Mitsuurokomon Hyogogusari Tachi (Hojo Tachi)
三鱗紋兵庫鎖太刀
Also known as: Formerly owned by Mishima Taisha; Kamakura period; held at Tokyo National Museum
Description
Ceremonial Tachi Associated with the Hojo Family
The Mitsuurokomon Hyogogusari Tachi is a tachi made for samurai ceremonial use in the Kamakura period. It is designated an Important Cultural Property and is held by the Tokyo National Museum.
Origin of the Name
"Mitsuurokomon" is the family crest of the Hojo clan, in which a triangle is likened to a scale. On this piece, the three-scale crest is relief-carved (yōbori) on the tawara-byō (barrel-shaped studs) of the hilt. The silver-ground scabbard bears the crest incised in lines and gilded, and scale motifs are openwork-carved on the mekugi seat, the ōseppa, and the suemon of the hyōgo-gusari. Because of this crest, the sword is said to have been dedicated by the Hojo family and was passed down at Mishima Shrine (now Mishima Taisha) in Shizuoka Prefecture.
About the Hyogo Kusari Tachi
A hyōgo-gusari tachi is a type of tachi that is hung from a chain rather than cloth cords when worn at the belt. This form was used for ceremonial purposes by nobles and high-ranking warriors, and this piece is a typical example of it.
Smith and Manufacture
The smith is unknown, but the jigane (ground steel) and hamon show characteristics of the Fukuoka Ichimonji school: a chōji-ba (clove-shaped hamon) of small patterns with a wide blade width, in which ashi and yō are abundantly inserted. It is regarded as a fine work of the Fukuoka Ichimonji school from the mid to late Kamakura period.
Current Status
The blade is designated an Important Cultural Property and is regularly kept and studied at the Tokyo National Museum. It is also an important resource for research into samurai costume and armor.
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