Description:
A KATANA IN KOSHIRAE
Japan, Edo period (1615-1868) or later
The blade:
A long katana with shinogi-zukuri and iori mune. The hamon, with large midare and much nie, is appealingly crafted. The boshi is a smaller ko-kissaki. The hada is masame. The tang is ubu with two mekugi-ana, the yasurime is o-sujikai and the tang tip is kurijiri. The mei (signature) in the form of two abbreviated and very small characters, probably reading Masamuni?or Masayoshi, however this appears to be a (more recently) incised attribution.
The mounting:
Round iron tsuba with one hitsu, engraved and inlaid with widely extending lines and spirals with gilding. The fuchi is incised with lines while the kashira is decorated in takazogan over nanakoji with a partly gilt floral composition. The gilt menuki show war fans. The habaki is gilt. The more recent saya is lacquered with a dense ishime structure, fittings at the ends and kurigata in silky roironuri.
NAGASA 68 cm
total LENGTH in koshirae 99 cm
Provenance: Czech private collection.
Condition: The blade is in very good condition with only minor faults and signs of wear on the surface. The saya in excellent condition.