KANESHIGE: A WAKIZASHI IN KOSHIRAE
By Kaneshige, signed Kumamoto ju Fujiwara KaneshigeJapan, mid-Edo period (1615-1868)The blade:Shinogi-zukuri and iori mune, the hamon is suguha with light notare. The kissaki is moderately large. The tang is ubu with one mekugi-ana, the tip is kirijiri. The signature reads Kumamoto ju Fujiwara KANESHIGE. Kumamoto is the capital of Higo province in Kyushu.The mounting:Smooth oval-round tsuba with two hitsu, signed and with a gold inlaid seal. The kashira is also smooth, the fuchi with takazogan over nanakoji and gilt showing motifs of different blossoms. One of the menuki shows a gilt blossom, the other depicts geese. The lustrous black-lacquered saya with a speckled brownish pattern.NAGASA 54 cm, total LENGTH 86 cmCondition: The blade is in very good condition with minor surface wear and imperfections. The saya shows crackling, losses and minor touch-ups.Provenance: From a Hungarian private collection.