Description:
Japan, c. 17th century (blade); Edo period (1603 – 1868) (koshirae)
Blade
Shinogi tsukuri with iori mune, choji-midare hamon. The nakago is ubu and features an ana, sujikai yasurime and iriyamagate jiri. Signed on one side Yamamoto Musashi no Kami Minamoto KATSUYOSHI 勝 吉. Hawley lists three swordsmiths who signed their work in this way, all of whom lived in the 17th century. This sword was probably crafted by the swordsmith from Echizen.
Koshirae
Square iron tsuba with rounded corners, a relief border and two hitsu-ana, carved in relief with a large shishi, its head on one side and a part of the back portion of its body on the other, below the signature UNZAN 雲 山 and Kao. Shakudo fuchi and tsuka-gashira with fine nanakoji and gilt borders as well as metal parts on the saya. The menuki show beetles. The kozuka handle shows a blossom, foliage and a shishi. Dark grey lacquer saya with a fine-grained structure.
Dimensions: 49.6 CM (nagasa), 76.5 CM (total length)
Condition: The blade in very good condition with only very minor surface wear. The koshirae is in overall good condition.
Provenance: Hungarian private collection