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LOT 3254
Fine Tachi Length Japanese Sword - Measuring 41 inches overall with a 29
3/4 blade, showing a
strong, straight hamon and a copper habaki. While not
perfectly straight, the blade shows a much lower amount of curvature than a
typical Japanese sword, inviting comparison to the semi-mythical “ninjato”
sword pattern. The iron tsuba has a square profile, rounded corners, and
a faint woodland engraving pattern, a raised sword design is present on
the fuchi, the kashira
has a gold accented
dragon engraving, a brass
cord swivel with a WWII-style orange and brown cord has
been added, and a pair of spear or oar themed menuki are present under the blue/green wrap. The saya is finished in black enamel, with
a leather exterior wrap. The tang is unsigned, with a single mekugi-ana. No documentation was provided, but swords with this limited
amount of curvature are associated with the late Edo period (1860s).
CONDITION: Fine. The very fine blade shows some light spotting and handling marks, with an overall bright appearance and attractive grain. The iron fittings show a mixed brown patina with lighter rust, the wrap has some minor stains, and the saya and its leather wrap show significant wear and tear. The tang has turned a dark brown antique patina.
Estimate: 4,500 - 7,000
LOT 3255
Attractive Signed Eiroku Era (16th Century) Japanese Tanto Length Knife Blade with NTHK Certification - Measuring 16 inches overall with an 11 1/2 inch live edge, the blade features a strong, slightly wavy hamon, attractive and vivid grain, and a 3 inch long horimono on each side depicting a bald man wearing a head dress. A silver plated habaki is present, decorated with slanted serrations. The tang has two mekugi-ana and is engraved on both side. The furniture is of the shirasaya pattern, with ebony and bone trim/reinforcement. A set of paperwork from the NTHK (both the fine “origami” presentation paperwork and the examiner’s worksheet, with numbered envelope) is included, identifying the left side marking as the signature “Bizen Kuni
ju Osafune Kiyomitsu” (a smith of the Bizen school, active from 1558 to 1570), and the right side marking as the date “Eiroku 3 Nen 8 Gatsu Hi” (3rd year and 8th month of the Eiroku era, approximately 1561). The blade was rated at 70 points, qualifying for “Kantei Sho” (authentic) level certification.
CONDITION: The fine blade shows some mild spotting, light handling marks
and a few openings in the skin but is bright with a well defined hamon. The tang shows a darkened patina appropriate to the documented age. Mekugi is absent. The furniture is good, with mild stains, wear, and some cracking of the trim.
Estimate: 4,500 - 6,500
LOT 3256
Edo Era Katana Length
Japanese Sword with NTHK
Certification - Measuring 38 inches
overall with a 27 1/2 inch blade, showing a jagged hamon
and a silver plated habaki. The tsuba and hilt follow the kyu-gunto
military pattern, with blackened brass tsuba, gold washed furniture,
a brown tassel and
flat “triple cherry
blossom” menuki under
the green cord wrap. The saya
is finished with a mosaic of polished iridescent
panels (possibly mother of pearl or abalone) set in a black lacquer field,
with engraved silver furniture. A repeating “112” assembly number is present on the tsuba and the spacers.
The tang is unsigned, with a pair of mekugi-ana. A set of paperwork from the NTHK (both the fine “origami” presentation paperwork
and the examiner’s worksheet, with numbered envelope) is included, noting the blade as “mumei” (unsigned) and proposing
production during the Edo period (about 1700), in the Seki school in the Echizen region.
CONDITION: Very good. The very fine blade shows some minor spotting and rubbing overall, with a few nicks in the edge and an overall bright appearance. The hilt shows wear and staining appropriate to age and use, and the saya shows light handling wear. The tang shows a deep antique patina
146 Estimate: 5,000 - 7,500