Description:
Japan, mid-Edo period (1603 - 1868) (blade); probably Muromachi period (1336 – 1573), 15th-16th century (koshirae)
Blade
Shinogi tsukuri with iori mune, der notare hamon with nie, itame hada. Nakago with large mekugi-ana, mumei, kuri jiri, no yasurime.
Koshirae
The round, iron ko-toshoi tsuba with sukashi and a hitsu-ana is flat on both sides and shows an openwork ume blossom (prunus). Shakudo fuchi-kashira with very fine nanakoji and a floral depiction with gilt nunome. One menuki shows a male figure with a cow, while the other shows a sage or immortal. Lacquer saya with fine-grained structure, the upper third with mother-of-pearl as well as a flat, black-lacquer ribbing.
Dimensions: 37.5 cm (nagasa), 56.3 cm (total length)
Condition: The blade in good condition, with very minor blemishes and scratches to surface. The koshirae in excellent condition, with minor wear to lacquer. The kozuka is missing.
Provenance: Hungarian private collection