備前近景

Bizen Chikakage

Description

## Accomplished Smith of Nanbokuchō Bizen — Bizen Chikakage Bizen Chikakage was a swordsmith of the Osafune school active in Bizen Province during the Nanbokuchō period, a skilled master who embodied the bold spirit of the Nanbokuchō era in the Bizen-den style. The Nanbokuchō period saw rapidly increasing demand for practical swords due to warfare, with many large swords (ō-tachi, nagamaki) being produced, yet Chikakage left numerous works that met this era's demands while maintaining Bizen-den's inherent dignity. The characteristic of Chikakage's works is the combination of the imposing form typical of Nanbokuchō (large tachi and ō-tachi) with the Bizen-den chōji-midare and gunome-midare hamon. The jigane shows itame with utsuri, and the nie in the hamon is the somewhat coarse nie characteristic of Nanbokuchō, lending the overall hamon dynamism. The large gunome-midare mixed with chōji embodies Nanbokuchō boldness while also demonstrating technical skill with ashi and ha. ## Technical Transformation of Bizen-den in the Nanbokuchō Period The Nanbokuchō period was an era when Bizen smiths faced the challenge of balancing mass production with quality maintenance, and accomplished smiths like Chikakage maintained technical standards while responding to large orders. The technical accumulation of the Osafune school in this era was transmitted to Osafune Kiyomitsu and Katsumitsu of the Muromachi period, forming an important bridge in the long history of Bizen swords. ## DATEKATANA and Chikakage DATEKATANA presents Chikakage as a skilled smith who preserved Bizen-den technique and dignity through the turbulent Nanbokuchō period, and as a swordsmith who embodied the continuity of the Osafune school.

Famous Works

• 太刀（重要文化財）
• 大太刀（重要文化財）