Ordering number:24598
Katana in Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token) (Consignment Sale)
Signature: (Kikumon) Dewa Kami Hokkyo Minamoto Mitsuhira (Mitsuhira)
(菊紋)出羽守法橋源光(以下切)(光平)
At our company, we rank swords by the skill of the swordsmith as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku, and Regular Saku.
This particular sword is ranked as Jyojyo Saku among the works of Dewanokami Hokkyo Minamoto Mitsuhira.
Habaki: Silver-plated single habaki
Blade Length: 64.9 cm (25.55 in)
Curvature: 1.8 cm (0.71 in)
Mekugi Hole: 3
Width at Base: 2.98 cm (1.17 in)
Width at Tip: 1.95 cm (0.77 in)
Thickness: 0.62 cm (0.24 in)
Sword Weight: 695 grams (1.53 lbs)
Era: Around Kanbun era of the Edo period(Around 1661)
Shape: The blade has a standard width and a deep curvature, with a regular-length kissaki (tip).
Jigane: The ko-itame hada (small wood grain pattern) is well-forged, resulting in high-quality jigane with utsuri (shadowy reflections) appearing.
Hamon: A nie-deki pattern with a choji-midare and gunome-midare mix, reminiscent of old Ichimonji works.
Features: (Kikumon) Dewanokami Hokkyo Minamoto Mitsuhira aimed to emulate the old Ichimonji style, producing extravagant works with remarkable craftsmanship.
Koshirae:
Tsuba: Iron tsuba featuring a high-relief carving of a warrior in battle, decorated with gold accents.
Fuchikashira: Depicts a scene of a boatman rowing a boat in a cemetery, rendered in high relief with gold accents.
Saya: Black lacquered saya.
Kozuka: Shakudo kozuka with detailed relief carving, illustrating a scene reminiscent of Motokariko religious iconography, adorned with gold accents.
Menuki: Matching the fuchikashira, featuring a high-relief depiction of a boatman rowing a boat, decorated with gold accents.
Aoi Art’s Comment: I once purchased a wakizashi in the U.S. that I believe is the counterpart to the one featured on page 722 of the Shinto Taikan. The wakizashi bore the exact signature "Dewanokami Hokkyo Minamoto Mitsuhira, made in Matsushiro, Shinshu, on a day in August of Tenwa 2 (1682)." The workmanship and hamon of both blades are identical, and I recall the fine dinner I shared with the previous owners in the U.S. This Mitsuhira's hamon is simply stunning and never grows old to look at. The choji-midare pattern with a healthy nie-deki finish evokes the craftsmanship of old Ichimonji works. The koshirae, with its intricate gold-colored high-relief carvings by Goshi Kumi of Omi, further enhances the overall brilliance of the piece.
Historical Background: The Kanbun era was a time of relative peace in the Edo period when swords began to be appreciated more for their aesthetic value. Many swordsmiths left the trade, but those who stayed focused on creating swords for appreciation, with elaborate hamon such as tora-midare and deeper nioi-guchi, and decorations on the blades like carvings and inscriptions became popular.
NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token
Aoi Art Estimation Paper
Whole Oshigata
Price:950,000JPY
商談中 HOLD