Ordering Number: AS25579

Wakizashi in Shirasaya (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature:
Kazushira Saku 和平作 (Okubo Towazu)
Heisei 7 Nen Haru 平成七年春
Nakago Mune: Jitoan Senshu carved this.
和平作（大久保和彫）
Carving: Jitoan Senshu Horu Kore 自灯庵仙琇彫之

Horimono: Kokeguchi Senshu (Mukansa Sword Engraver)

(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku).
This work ranks as Jyojyo Saku for Kazuhira.

Habaki: Gold-plated single habaki.

Blade Length: 32.7cm (12.87in)
Curvature: 0.1cm (0.04in)
Mekugi-ana: 1
Motohaba: 2.90cm (1.14in)
Kasane: 0.80cm (0.31in)
Weight: 335g

Shape: A well-proportioned tanto with substantial width and thickness.
The blade is engraved with an openwork ranma-style carving of a coiling dragon around a ken sword.
Jigane: Fine and well-forged ko-itame hada, producing an excellent steel surface.
Hamon: Choji-midare in a style resembling turbulent waves, with a deep nioiguchi.
Kinsuji activities appear throughout.

Features: Okubo Kazuhira was born in 1943 (Showa 18) in Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture.
His real name was Okubo Towazu.
He was a student of the Living National Treasure Miyairi Akihira.
At the Shinsaku Meito Exhibition, he received the Excellence Award twice, the Encouragement Award twice, and the Effort Award seven times.
In 1991, he received the Kunzan Award, and in 2000 he attained Mukansa status.
Master Kokeguchi Senshu was born on March 30, 1922 (Taisho 11) in Okayama.
Because of a leg disability, he specialized primarily in sword carvings and was regarded as the foremost sword engraver in Japan.
He was certified as Mukansa in 1983 (Showa 58).
This tanto is a Mukansa work by Wahei, with the ranma-style openwork carving executed by Kokeguchi Senshu.
Ranma openwork carving is extremely difficult to accomplish.
There is a forging crack beneath the habaki.
Nevertheless, the overall workmanship is excellent.

Aoi Art’s Comment: This masterpiece is a collaborative work between the Mukansa masters Kazuhira and Kokeguchi Senshu.
Although both craftsmen have already passed away, their superb works remain.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate(*the paper will be issued later)
AoiArt estimation paper: Whole Oshigata.

Please note: The price does not include the international shipping fees.

Auction Starting Price:1,750,000JPY

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