Owari Seki (Owari Sansaku)Shintō (New Swords)

Hōki no Kami Nobutaka

伯耆守信高

Period

Early Edo Period (from the Keichō era)

School

Owari Seki School

Active Years

1610年〜（5代継承）

Tradition

Owari Seki (Owari Sansaku)

Rank

Description

Hōki no Kami Nobutaka was a swordsmith active in Owari Province (present-day western Aichi Prefecture) during the early Edo period, counted as one of the "Owari Sansaku" — the three master swordsmiths of Owari.

Relocation to Owari

After honing his craft in Mino Province, Nobutaka relocated to the castle town of Nagoya around the time Nagoya Castle was completed in 1610 (Keichō 15). He subsequently served as the chief representative of the Owari Seki swordsmiths.

Hereditary Service to the Owari Tokugawa

The Nobutaka name was passed down through five generations, each receiving the title "Hōki no Kami," reflecting the deep trust placed in the lineage by the Owari Tokugawa house, whom they served as official domain swordsmiths over a long period.

Style and Characteristics

Nobutaka's work is characterized above all by its overall restraint. His hamon are nie-based, but show fewer nie particles than those of fellow Owari Seki master Sagami-no-kami Masatsune, and frequently display gunome-midare patterns.

Representative Works

Notable surviving works include a 71.7cm blade signed "Hōki no Kami Fujiwara Nobutaka" (designated Tokubetsu Hozon Tōken) and a 76cm spear (ōmi-yari) signed "Hōki no Kami Fujiwara Nobutaka" (designated Jūyō Tōken, Important Sword).

Back to swordsmiths

Owari Seki (Owari Sansaku)Shintō (New Swords)

Hōki no Kami Nobutaka

伯耆守信高

Period

Early Edo Period (from the Keichō era)

School

Owari Seki School

Active Years

1610年〜（5代継承）

Tradition

Owari Seki (Owari Sansaku)

Rank

Description

Relocation to Owari

Hereditary Service to the Owari Tokugawa

Style and Characteristics

Representative Works

Related Swordsmiths

和泉守国貞

Osaka Shinto (Settsu Province). Carrying on the Osaka tradition of refined shinto swordmaking, Kunisada inherited the techniques of his predecessor (Kunisada I) and refined them further, becoming recognized as the foremost swordsmith in Osaka.

Izumi no Kami Kunisada

Active during the mid-Edo period (late 17th to early 18th century), coinciding with the flourishing Genroku era of Osaka culture. Under the peaceful governance of Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, demand for swords shifted toward artistic refinement, and Kunisada embodied this spirit with his polished craftsmanship.

堀川国広

Soshu tradition (New Sword)

Horikawa Kunihiro

Momoyama to Early Edo period (New Sword genesis era)

三品藤九郎輝廣

Yamashiro Province, Fushimi (Kyoto). He was part of the lineage of swordsmiths who descended to Fushimi during the Keichō period and was a central figure in an era when forging techniques were exchanged between the Kanto and Kansai regions.

Shinashina Tōkurō Teruhiro

Keichō to Keian period (early 17th century). Regarded as the founding figure of the Shinashina school, he was active in Kyoto and Fushimi during the early stages of peace following the Battle of Sekigahara. He served Fukushima Masanori and relocated to Aki, later serving the Asano clan as a swordsmith.

大和守吉道

Other

Yamato no Kami Yoshimichi

Early Edo Period

Back to swordsmiths