A MINO WAKIZASHI IN KOSHIRAE
Japan, c. late 16th to 17th centuryThe blade:Shinogi-zukuri and iori mune, the hamon is a finely pronounced gunome with a partial slight tendency towards sugi. The unsigned tang is ubu with one mekugi-ana, the tip is kurijiri, the yasurime is o-sujikai. The Japanese expertise attributes this blade to a ‘successor’ of Kanemoto. There were very many swordsmiths in the Mino school with the name Kanemoto, most of them were active in the 16th century.The mounting:Oval-round tsuba with two hitsu and openwork, motifs showing lotus leaves. The kashira in silver takazogan with some gilding shows a lively shishi, while the kashira shows a large blossom utilizing the same technique. Both menuki in black shakudo with some gold also show shishi. The saya with lustrous black lacquer has an ishime structure.NAGASA 39.1 cm, total LENGTH 61 cmCondition: The blade in very good condition with minor wear and imperfections. The saya shows extensive wear.Provenance: From a Hungarian private collection; with certificate in Japanese from the NBTHK.