Nihon'ichi Norishige

Overview of Nihon'ichi Norishige

Nihon'ichi Norishige is a tantō made by the swordsmith Norishige of Gofuku-gō in Etchū Province (present-day Toyama Prefecture), and it is designated a National Treasure. It is a signed tantō whose soundness stands far above the rest. Because it was considered the finest Norishige in Japan, it was given the title "Nihon'ichi Norishige." It is currently held by Eisei Bunko in Bunkyō, Tōkyō.

The maker, Norishige, was a master smith active in Etchū during the late Kamakura period, and he is counted among the "Ten Great Disciples of Masamune" (Masamune Jittetsu), who are often mentioned alongside Sōshū Masamune. However, Norishige is also said to have been a disciple of Shintōgo Kunimitsu, and it is thought that he stood in a fellow-disciple relationship with Masamune.

Style——matsukawa-hada (pine-bark grain)

What most distinguishes Norishige's style is the matsukawa-hada that appears in the steel's surface (jigane). This is a distinctive ground texture in which itame-hada swells in large undulations, so that it resembles the bark of a pine tree; chikei run thick and vigorous, and ji-nie cover it thickly. This bold and spirited jigane is an individuality unique to Norishige, distinct from both Gō Yoshihiro of the same Etchū region and Sōshū Masamune, and it is the greatest point of interest in appraisal.

The hamon is basically suguha mixed with ko-notare, and with ara-nie appearing along the hamon edge, kinsuji and sunagashi are abundant and active. While embodying the bold range of the Sōshū tradition, it displays a power that overwhelms others in the workings of the jigane.

Provenance and Evaluation

This tantō was collected by Hosokawa Moritatsu, the sixteenth head of the Hosokawa family, who was also known as a collector of swords and who founded Eisei Bunko. Signed works by Norishige are limited in number, and among them this "Nihon'ichi Norishige" has long been renowned as a masterpiece among masterpieces of Norishige. As its title indicates, it is designated a National Treasure as a single blade standing at the summit of Norishige's works. As a peerless tantō of perfect soundness, it is also an indispensable reference piece for studying the Sōshū tradition and Etchū-mono.