Tachi by Uda Kunifusa

宇多国房の太刀

Also known as: Etchū Uda

Smith

Uda Kunifusa

Era

Nanbokuchō period (late 14th century)

Type

Tachi

Designation

Registered Art Object

Location

Toyama City Folkcraft Museum, Toyama

Description

This tachi by Uda Kunifusa is a representative surviving work of the Uda school of Etchū Province (present-day Toyama Prefecture) and is considered the pinnacle of Etchū swordsmanship. The Uda school was founded by craftsmen who migrated from the Tegai school of Yamato Province and established a distinct tradition in Hokuriku, retaining Yamato characteristics while reflecting the regional spirit of Etchū. The blade is approximately 73 centimeters long and displays the grand proportions typical of the Nanbokuchō period, with a composed hamon of straight temper (suguha) interspersed with small irregularities, and a jigane showing the pronounced masame-hada (straight-grain) texture characteristic of the Yamato tradition. The tachi was transmitted as a votive offering of the Hatakeyama clan, the provincial governors of Etchū, before entering the Maeda clan's sword collection when the Kaga domain was established. After the Meiji era it remained in Toyama and is now held by the Toyama City Folkcraft Museum, where it is prized as a crucial document of the high level of craft achieved by Etchū smiths.

Legends & Stories

It is said that Uda Kunifusa used sacred water drawn from Mount Tateyama when forging this blade, infusing it with the spiritual energy of the Etchū mountains. Those who carried the sword were believed to receive the protection of the Tateyama deities and to be granted the mental fortitude to endure even the severe Hokuriku winters. A legend associated with the Hatakeyama clan records that the night before an enemy surprise attack, the sword's scabbard began to resonate of its own accord, warning the clan of the coming assault. For this reason it was revered as a 'ringing sword' (naru katana) with prophetic powers.