Ordering Number: AS24043

Yari (Spear): Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature: Kyushu Higo Dotanuki (the rest illegible)
九州肥後同田貫(以下不明)

We classify swords into Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku, and Regular Saku based on the swordsmith's skill.
Among Kyushu Higo Dotanuki (the rest illegible) works, this piece is ranked as Jyo Saku.
Blade Length: 73.0 cm (28.74 in)
Curvature: 0 cm (0 in)
Mekugi Hole: 2
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.27 cm (1.29 in)
Thickness (Kasane): 1.27 cm (0.50 in)
Sword Weight: 1270 g
Shirasaya Overall Length: 167 cm (65.75 in)
Era: Late Muromachi period
Shape: A long yari (spear), measuring 73 cm (28.74 in) in length.
Jigane: An itame hada with a standing grain, accompanied by ji-nie, the ji-hada clearly visible. A bo-hi (groove) is carved. Despite some flaws here and there, it is a long, sturdy yari.
Hamon: Made in nie, with a clearly visible gunome-midare. The ashi work actively, and within the blade niju-ha (double temper lines) and sanju-ha (triple temper lines) show vigorous activity, with tobiyaki (isolated patches of temper) appearing. The boshi turns into midarekomi.

Features: The Kyushu Higo Dotanuki are said to have originated in Kikuchi, Kumamoto.
Kiyokuni and Masakuni are regarded as its two foremost masters; both served Kato Kiyomasa, and it is said that, with the decline of the Kato house, the Dotanuki likewise fell into obscurity.
Many of their blades are long and sturdy, and they still have a considerable number of collectors today.
It is said that Kato Kiyomasa actually favored works of this kind.
They signed their works with names such as Dotanuki Hyobu, Matahachi, and Uemon, and in the late Edo period smiths such as Munehiro and Masakatsu were also active.

Koshirae: Overall length 312 cm (122.83 in).
Tsuka (handle): 92 cm (36.22 in).

Aoi Art's Comment: The Kyushu Higo Dotanuki were swords prized for their cutting ability—minor flaws were of no concern, and even with some defects a blade was held in high regard so long as it cut superbly.
This practicality-first set of values may well be said to reflect the very temperament of Kato Kiyomasa.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token
Aoi Art estimation paper: Whole Oshigata
Please note: the price does not include the international shipping fees.

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

Auction Starting Price:650,000JPY