Japanese Swords - Gallery

Setsumei: (explanation )

Kunimichi was a student of HOROKAWA KUNIHIRO and was recognised as an outstanding smith the most clever and skilled in the Horikawa Mon.
Kunimichi enjoyed a long life and extant date signatures range from the 13th year of Keicho 1608 to the 3rd year Meireki 1657. His typical Hamon is the same as Kunihiro his teacher, however his range of work is much broader with Kunimichi the wildness of the Hamon is very intense, therefore there is a great deal more nie and nioi than Kunihiro, and these are works with a feeling of exuberance. This Wakizashi shows his best work in the Hamon and is spectacular . In addition the Sukashibori Horimono is spectacular and has been carved on both sides and goes from one side through to the other with virtually identical work on both sides and fine detail. Normally because Swords have been polished over the years the Horimono sharpness would diminish and on very old Swords the Horimono is polished to the extent that most of it has disappeared due to repetitive polishing of the Sword. However on this Wakizashi the Horimono is 100% perfect as is the rest of the Sword in extremely healthy state. The polish is also supreme and this Wakizashi is a masterpiece by Kunimichi. Held in the hand and observed the Wakizashi excels in beauty and supreme craftsmanship.

Wakizashi signed : Dewa No Daijo Fujiwara Kunimichi

Era: Edo Shinto
Nakago: Ubu ( Untouched original ) Maru Mune, Yasurime is o-sujigai. The finish is excellently executed.
Mei: The large and deep tagane atari are rich in ambition.
Nagasa : ( Blade length ) 45.6 cm
Meguki Ana : One Hole
Width at Hamachi : 3.2 cm
Width at Kissaki : 2.2 cm
Sori : 1.25 cm
Kasane : 0.6 cm
Hamon : Nie - Deki Notare with Gunome / on this Wakizashi he created a wild and intense spectacular Hamon. Out of the many Kunimichi that I have seen in Japan this is one of his supreme works.
Jitetsu: Koitame Hada well grained with Mokume- Hada mixed with Jinie attached.

Certification: NBTHK Hozon Certification stating its Authenticity

Shirasaya Sayagaki by Tanobe Michiro ( Former managing Director, Nippon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai, The japanese Sword Museum Tokyo.)

SOSHU JU KUNISHIGE TANTO and EDO KOSHIRAE. ( Second Generation Kunishige)

Era : Nanbokucho , (Enbun 1356 - 1361) This Tanto is well over 600 years old.
Type: Sunobi Tanto
Nagasa : 29cm
Hamon: Dense Ko - Itame, Hitatsura all over with fine Kinsuji and Sunagashi.
Motohaba: 2.5cm
Mekugi Ana - Two
Nakago : Ubu
Sori :0.4 cm
Condition : Tanto is in outstanding healthy condition without any flaws and presents as perfect.
Length of Koshirae : 52.5 cm

NBTHK Hozon and Tokubetsu Kicho Certification for Tanto and Koshirae.

Setsumei: (explanation )

Honma sensei adding that the workmanship of the first two is hard to distinguish and basically has to be tackled via the quality factor.
Generations, the 1st being active around Kenmu (建武, 1334-1338), the 2nd around around Enbun (延文, 1356-1361) and the 3rd generation, Rokurôzaemon (六郎左衛門), around Ôei (応永, 1394-1428). The Nihontô Koza also introduces three generations Kunishige.

This Tanto is unique and represent’s the best work of KUNISHIGE, the Hitatsura Hamon which covers the entire surface is outstanding and gives the complete Blade a wild feeling and is unique. It comes with also an outstanding Edo Koshirae complete with all of it’s original and matched fittings ( Issaku Kanagu ). It comes out of an old Japanese collection and this is the first time it has been offered outside of Japan

 

Jyuyo Token No19 Kai.

TANTO  : RARE AND HISTORIC HASEBE KUNISHIGE UBU TANTO

With Koshirae and Two Shirasaya.
Signature:Hasebe Kunishige.
The blade is in best polish.
Blade length : 30,5cm or 12 inches.
Sori 0.4cm or 0.157 inches.
Width at the hamachi : 2.6 1cm or1,03 inches.
Era : Nanbokucho period. 1356 (651 years ago.)
Shape: The blade is wide and thin Mitsu mine which is typical Nanbokucho style.
Jitetsu : Itame hada well grained with Jinie attached thickly
Hamon : Niedeki and Notare hamon convined with thick Nioikuchi and also Tobiyaki which is called Hitatsura hamon.
Special feature:Hasebe Kunishige was a very skilled Tanto maker.
According to a famous sword book, he was a student of the Soshu Masamune.
This Tanto is elegant and has a powerful Hitatsura hamon. In the Ha, strong Kinsuji scatter like in the Soshu style. This Tanto was owned by a realative of the Emperor and has very valuable history and Origami attached with it which is all cased in a very old hako Also very early Juyo Token papers which are very valuable as the criteria for Juyo was very strict then.

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Hasebe Kunishige Koshirae.

The Saya is black Lacquer and inlaid with abalone shell, Aoi Gai. The inlay is very intricately executed in fine detail in grass script kanji and in poem form depicts the Japanese Budo Soul, this is inlaid on both sides of the Koshirae. The Aikuchi Koshirae is Issaku ( All fittings are matching) comprising of a Kozuka, Kogai, Fuchi Kashira, Kurigata, Kojiri, Kaeritsuno in Shibuichi. The Kogai and Kozuka have Black Shakudo Mons of KARA HANABISHI of the TAKEDA DAIMYO, the rest of the fittings are finely engraved with Flowers and Leaves ( Kata Kiri Bori) This is a fantastic Edo Period Koshirae in superb condition.

 

Tanto : (Sunnobi Tanto)
Bizen koku : Signed, Kiyonori Early Muromachi period Edge length : Approx.35.8cm
Curvature : 4.2mm
Motohaba : 2.7cm
Mune kasane : 9.1mm
Engraving : Front Bonji bohi
:Back Bohi soe hi
Gold foil double habaki
wooden case

It has a Japanese calligraphy note on the wooden case by Miyoji Ito.
Registered in 1951 Osaka province

 

KOSHIRAE :

The Koshirae is ISSAKU Kanagu and signed and was made during the Edo period, it depicts Bamboo and Bamboo leaves which are a sign of great strength . The Tsuka is bound with leather and the Saya also is finished in the same manner. The Kogai also depicts a piece of Bamboo and above the bamboo leaves with Gold branches. The Condition of the Koshirae, Kogai and Kozuka is wonderful.

NBTHK Certification

Baron Ito Miyoji

Biography

Itō was born into a local samurai administrator's family in Nagasaki, Hizen Province (present-day Nagasaki Prefecture). From his early days, he showed a mastery of foreign languages. In the new Meiji government he worked as a translation official for Hyōgo Prefecture specializing in English, and was later selected to accompany Itō Hirobumi (no relation) to Europe in 1882 to investigate the constitutions and governmental structures of various European counties, with the aim of creating a constitution for Japan.

After his return to Japan, he assisted Inoue Kowashi and Kaneko Kentarō in drafting the Meiji Constitution, and was subsequently nominated to the House of Peers of the Diet of Japan.

In 1892, he became Chief Cabinet Secretary in Itō Hirobumi's second administration, and in 1898, served as Minister of Agriculture and Commerce under the third Itō administration.

At the same time, Itō Miyoji was also president of the pro-government newspaper, the Tokyo Nichinichi Shimbun (the predecessor to the modern Mainichi Shimbun).

From 1899, Itō Miyoji served as a member of the Privy Council. In 1907, he was ennobled with the title of danshaku (baron) under the kazoku peerage system. He was further elevated to hakushaku (count) in 1922.

In his later years, Itō was the bane of civilian government through his consistent and conservative use of the Tokyo Nichinichi Shimbun to inflame public opinion. During the Shōwa financial crisis, he brought out the collapse of the administration of Prime Minister Wakatsuki Reijirō through a virulent bad-press campaign. He also strongly criticized Prime Minister Hamaguchi Osachi for signing the London Naval Treaty on arms limitations as infringing on the direct prerogatives of the emperor.

Itō died in 1934. His grave is at Tsukiji Hongan-ji in Tokyo..

 

TANTO by SEKI NO MAGOROKU KANEMOTO

This is an extremely rare Tanto by the second generation "Magoroku " Kanemoto. His blades are judged SAIJO O WAZAMONO having the greatest of cutting ability and extreme sharpness. His Swords were prominent in the SENGOKU ERA ( SENGOKU JIDAI ) This period of Japanese History was marked by social unrest, political intrigue and constant military conflict making it a very turbulent time in Japanese history. At this period surfaced great sword-smiths amongst them the greatest MURAMASA, SEKI NO MAGOROKU KANEMOTO and IZUMI NO KAMI KANESADA ( NOSADA ). Their blades were known for their extreme sharpness and great cutting ability and were proven in battle.

THE RARITY OF THIS TANTO IS THE CONDITION OF IT, THE LENGTH AND ALSO MOST IMPORTANT IS THE " MEI" SIGNATURE ON THE NAKAGO WHICH HAS BEEN PRESERVED AND CHIZELLED BEAUTIFULLY.

DR. KANZAN SATO USED THIS TANTO FOR THE MEI TO EXEMPLIFY THE FINEST CHARACTARSITICS OF KANEMOTO'S SIGNATURE. ALSO THE FACT THAT THE STYLE OF HAMON ON THIS TANTO IS NOT SANBONSUGI BUT KO NIE DEKI NOTARE HAMON.

MAGOROKU KANEMOTO IS KNOWN FOR HIS SANBONSUGI HAMON (The pattern of three cedars )

THE TANTO COMES WITH A MAGNIFICENT AIKUCHI ISSAKU KANAGU KOSHIRAE FROM THE EDO PERIOD ADORNED WITH THE KIRI MON ( PAULOWNIA ) IN GOLD .

DETAILS OF TANTO :
SAYAGAKI WRITTEN BY TANOBE MICHIHIRO : Mino No Kuni Seki No Magoroku Kanemoto.
The Nakago is Ubu and two Japanese characters on it. Generally he was called Magoroku and was the second generation Kanemoto. Sometimes we can find his gentle Notareba Hamon like in this Tanto. This is really a good example of his work.

ERA : MUROMACHI / DURING AND AFTER THE TAi-EI PERIOD 1521

LENGTH : 27.7 CM

WIDTH AT HAMACHI : 3.0 CM

WIDTH AT KISSAKI : 2.0 CM

KASANE : 5 mm

MEGUKI : 2

NAKAGO : UBU

MEI : NIJI MEI , KANEMOTO

HAMON : KO NIE DEKI NOTARE HAMON

JITETSU : KOITAME HADA AND KOMOKUME HADA WITH JINIE AND SHIRAKE UTSURI

OVERALL CONDITION AND STATE OF PRESERVATION OF TANTO IS PERFECT.

OVERALL CONDITION AND STATE OF PRESERVATION OF KOSHIRAE IS EXCELLENT.

Certification: NBTHK TOKUBETSU HOZON / Juyo candidate.

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A WAKIZASHI BLADE WITH KOSHIRAE

MEI: SOSHU Ju FUSAMUNE SAKU (ODAWARA SOSHU )
ERA : MUROMACHI PERIOD ( SUE - KOTO Late Muromachi Period )
HORIMONO Style : Kurikata no Ukibori
Blade Length : 52 cm
Blade Style : Shinogi Zukuri
Hamon : The Jihada is dense Ko-Mokume Hada, Hamon is is Nioi- Deki , Ko- Midare with Nie
Sori: Saki Zori
Width at Hamachi: 3cm
Certification : N.B.T.H.K Tokubetsu Hozon

SETSUMEI:

Special feature with this Sword is that it is Ubu Nakago and one Meguki Ana. It is in Mukanasa level polish and in superb condition. FUSAMUNE was a Shoshu Sword-smith who was held in high regard for his workmanship and excelled in his HORIMONO ( Carving ). The Horimono is in near perfect condition. The Wakizashi is splendidly made and has a BO-BI ( Single groove ) in which the Horimono has been carved in and on the obverse side has FUTASUJI- BI ( Double groove) which has been carved perfectly.

Signed FUSAMUNE Swords are extremely rare and seldom offered for sale, this Sword is FUSAMUNE'S best work.

KOSHIRAE

SETSUMEI:

KOSHIRAE : The Sword comes with a EDO period Black ISSAKU KOSHIRAE with all matching KODOGU including Kogai ( Two Kiri Mons ) and Kozuka ( Three Kiri Mons ) .The FUCHI has 12 Kiri Mons, the KASHIRA has 6 KIri Mons.The MENUKI are Solid Gold . The TSUBA has a Gold Mimi ( Rim ) and has 32 Gold Kiri Mons. The KOSHIRAE is DAIMYO Quality. The Ko Gatana is signed KANEMOTO. The Kodogu are all Top Quality set in the very finest NANAKO and I believe they are all from the Momoyama / Early Edo Period and workmanship of the Goto school. Both the Sword and the Koshirae are evenly balanced and compliment each other. The Koshirae has been with the Sword for a long time.

 

SHIRASAYA

 

SETSUMEI

SHIRASAYA : The Shirasaya is made from the very best top quality Tora Ki with Black Horn and has a spectacular Tiger Stripe Grain. Sayagaki ( Calligraphy Description ) by TANOBE MICHIHIRO Sensei Former Director of Research for the NBTHK Tokyo Japan. In brief : ODAWARA SOSHU FUSAMUNE, Six character signature , excellent work and superb Horimono.

Katana

Signature: Izumi No Kami Fujiwara Kunisada
Blade length : 72.5cm
Sori: 1.5 cm
Width at Hamachi : 2.94cm
Kasane : 0.7 cm

Era: Edo Period
Shape: The blade is a thick and wide healthy blade.
Jitetsu: Itame Hada well grained with Jinie and also Chikie
Hamon: Niedeki Togari gunome midare and small gunome midare mixed. In the Ha there are many Ashi and small Kinsuji.

Special feature with this blade is that it is Ubu Nakago and one meguki ana and in superb condition in Mukanasa level polish.

Comes with NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate.

Wakizashi

Signature: Izumi no Kami Fujiwara Kunisada

Blade length: 45.3cm
Sori: 1.2cm
Width at Hamachi: 2.94cm
Kasane: 0.7cm

Era: Edo Period
Shape: The blade is a thick and wide healthy blade
Jitetsu: Itame hada well grained with Jinie and also Chikie
Hamon: Niedeki Togari gunome midare with small gunome midare mixed. In the Ha there are many Ashi and small Kinsuji

Special feature with this blade is that it is ubu Nakago and one meguki ana and in superb condition in Mukansa level polish.

Comes with NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate.

This was made as a matching Daisho and not put together both swords are in exceptional condition without any flaws or faults.

The Kogai and Kozuka are signed YASUNARI and come with Tokubetsu Hozon Tosogu certificate.

 

Katana	Wakizashi	Kogai and Kozuka
		The Kogai and Kozuka are signed YASUNARI and come with Tokubetsu Hozon Tosogu certificate.

The blade is in new polish.
Blade length : 26.04 cm or 10.25 inches.
Sori : 0 cm or 0 inches.
Mekugi: 1
Width at the hamachi : 2.61cm or 1.02 inches.
Kasane : 0.55 cm or 0.21 inches.
Era : Late Muromachi period.
Shape : This blade is rather wide and thick Tanto with Sakizori. It is a good shape. Mine is Mitsu Mine style.
Nakago is Tanago-bara shape.
Jitetsu : Itame hada and Mokume hada are mixed with much Jinie and Chikei attach.
Utsuri appear around the Hamach.
Hamon : Gunome midare around the Hamachi, and change to Suguha.
Both sides of blade has same Hamon.
Nioikuchi is soft, and there are Ashi in Ha.

Special feature : Muramasa was born in Ise province and made swords that cut exceptionally well of which were highly reputed by Mikawa Samurai. Muramasa was a son of the Seki Kanemura and made swords and Tanto from Eisyo era to Tenbun era.

According to the story,
Muramasa made  misfortune to the Tokugawa shogun. Especially the sword which has assisted Tokugawa Nobuyasu in committing hara-kiri by beheading him by Muramasa. Tokugawa Ieyasu felt sadness and ordered the confiscation of all Muramasa swords. After hearing this message, most of the Daimyo avoided Muramasa swords or removed the signature from the Tang therefore signed Muramasa swords are very rare

This blade is very healthy Tanto without Kizu or flaw.
Shape is good, and Jitetsu with Midare Utsuri and Hamon (Both sides of blade has same Hamon) are excellent.
Hamon and Tanago-bara shaped Nakago are Muramasa’s special feature.

Comes with  NBTHK Hozon Token Certificate

Special note:  This Muramasa Tanto was discovered in Japan recently  and had no papers, it was put into the NBTHK for shinsa to verify it's authenticity. It is very rare in its Ubu/ Nijimei condition and has all the traits to be a Juyo contender.

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Katana in Shirasaya:

Signature:  KAZUSA No KAMI  FUJIWARA KANESHIGE

Kinzogan Mei  Futatsu Do Kiritoshi Manji 3 Nen Gatsu Hi Yamano Kaemon Nagahisa ( Gold inlay stating that Yamano Kaemon Nagahisa 
performed a Two body cutting test with this sword and the date when it was done)

The Sword is in perfect Mukansa level polish with no faults of any kind and has been preserved in perfect condition

The length of the Sword is:     74.54cm or 29.35 inches.

Sori:      0.9cm or 0.354 inches

Width at Hamachi:     3.22cm or 1.27 inches

Width at Kissaki:      2.21cm or 0.29inches

Era:      Early EDO period. Kanbun Era

Shape:             The Sword is  Wide  and Thick,  and a long Sword

Jitetsu:        Itame Hada which is well grained with much Jinie and also Chikei.

Hamon:      Nie Deki  Gunome Midare Hamon and in the Ha there are many Ashi and Sunagashi

Special Feature of this Sword:   This is a fantastic sword, Kazusa  Kaneshige was reputedly the Teacher of KOTETSU and studying  this  sword resembles  the work of Kotetsu. Also it is reputed that  MIYAMOTO MUSASHI used the swords of KAZUSA No Kami FUJIWARA KANESHIGE.

His swords  are well known for their cutting ability.

This Sword comes with NBTHK Hozon Certificate and it is my opinion that this sword is of  Juyo Quality

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Tsuda Echizen no kami Sukehiro is a student of the first generation Sukehiro.　He was given the title "Echizen no kami" in 1657 (Meireki 3). He had been employed by Aoyama Inbanokami Munetoshi who was the Osaka-castle warden since 1667(Kanbun7). This wakizashi seems to be made in 1664( Kanbun4), we know it from its style and the curving of the mei. Hamon is O-gunome, Sukehiro is good at it. There are many clear ashi and sunagashi partially along light hamon. The blade is bright fine itame, it shows much jinie, chikei on it. The kanji "Sou" has some meaning for this wakizashi. According to Mr. Tanabe Tanzan's opinion on sayagaki- writing, the word "Sou" means "equal" , it means his work is able to be compared to his father the first generation's work, and this wakizashi can equal the first generation's in quality.

Period : SHINTO

Length :　48.8cm

Curvature : 1.0cm

Width at the base : 3.3cm

Thickness at the base : 0.7cm

Width at the top : 2.4cm

Thickness of the top : 0.5cm

Certification : NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon

A fine Tanto by Suzuki Masao, Senior Student of the Famous KIYOMARO

Suzuki Masao was a native of Mino Province whoose real name was Suzuki Jiro. He was a senior student of KIYOMARO. He started Sword production around 1853. He worked briefly in Hokkaido ( Japan's northernmost Island ) and then returned to Edo and retired from Sword making in 1865. He is renowned for his excellency as a sword-smith in the footsteps of his master Kiyomaro.

PERIOD : SHINSHINTO

Length:　25.7cm

Curvature:　0cm

Width at the base:　2.7cm

Thickness at the base:　0.7cm

Certification: NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token