This photo of tsubas was sent to me by a colleague who found them tsubas in their shed, stored in a Jade box. Apparently the house used to be owned by an Australian General in the army previously. Any comments or details you can add based on this photo?
I won a bid on a wakizashi a couple years ago and when it arrived I was blown away by how much higher-quality it was than what the auction pictures suggested. I was wondering if anybody could help me with some general information on some of the fittings (the fuchi, kashira, and the tsuka)? I have pictures of the habaki and one seppa it came with too, in the event those would be helpful.
From what I can see, I believe the fuchi and kashira are some form of brass with inlay, though I really am not sure what school or era it would fall into. I THINK the ito is lacquered paper. The menuki are also visible. There is some form of writing on the top of the tsuka's wooden core which can be seen when the kashira is removed. I have included some pictures of that as well.
The style is quite striking to me, and the tsuka itself seems to be very well made.
Again, any general information would be greatly appreciated.
Apologies for the separate post, but I couldn't upload the extra photos of the fuchi in my previous post here. The lighting is a little challenging but I hope it provides more detail and information.
If anybody has any ideas on the school, age, etc, I'd appreciate it.
I'm not a collector of antiques of any sort. I’m not planning to collect. I only wanted something meaningful to commemorate my recent trip to Japan.
Listing from Aoi Art:
Katana: in Shirasaya(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)
SIgnature :Bizen Koku Ju Osafune Magouemon Jo Kiyomitsu.
Eiroku 12 Nen 2 Gatsu Kichijitsu(February 1569)
備前国住長船孫右衛門尉清光
永禄十二年二月吉日
Sayagaki: written by Honami Nisshu in November 1984.
Bizen Koku Ju Osafune Magouemon Jo Kiyomitsu
Geishu Asano family's Heirloom item
The Nakago is Ubu, has signature, and production date.
The blade length is 2 Shaku 1 Sun 5 bu.
Bizen Kuni Jyu Osafune Magouemon Jyo Kiyomitsu.Denrai Geisyu Asano family’s
sword.
Ubu nagkaga,Date: February, 12th Year of Eiroku (1569), Lucky Day
Length 2syaku 1sun 5bu Ari Honami Nissyu. (National treasure: for polishing)
(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo saku, Jyojyo saku Jyo saku and regular saku)
This sword belongs to Jyo Jyo Saku ranking.
Habaki: Silver Habaki with a family crest engraved.
Blade Length: 65.2 cm or 25.66 inches
Curvature: 1.7 cm or 0.66 inches
Peg Holes: 3
Width at Base: 3.26 cm or 1.28 inches
Width at Tip: 2.29 cm or 0.90 inches
Thickness: 0.73 cm or 0.28 inches
Sword Weight: 790 grams
Era: Muromachi Period, Eiroku 12th Year
Shape: The blade's shape is broad with a deep curve and a thick, elongated point. The curvature is excellent.
Jigane: The grain pattern on the steel surface is exquisite, showing a mixture of small wood grain patterns, and it displays a beautiful reflection.
Hamon: The hamon (temper line) is bright and clear, with irregularities resembling small feet. The boshi (temper line at the
tip) is irregular and turns back.
Features: Bizen Kuni Ju Osafune Magouemon -jo Kiyomitsu, a common name signer,
meticulously crafted this sword, likely upon requests from daimyo families and others. As
you can see, the beauty of the steel surface is exceptional, and the reflections on the
densely packed steel are stunning. The hamon is bright, clear, and intricately adorned
with fine gold lines.
This sword waas reported as geisyu Asanoke(Daimyo’s family)well known sword.
The sayagaki was written by Honami Nissyu who was a national treasure polisher.
Aoi Art's Comment: This magnificent piece with the common name signature is believed to have been carefully preserved as a work for daimyo families. It is a healthy and splendid piece.
NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token
Aoi Art estimation paper
Whole Oshigata
I am currently in Tokyo and I managed to see some amazing famous nihonto today. First slide is the Dojigiri Yasutsuna, one of the Tenka Goken. There was also a special exhibit from the Maeda Ikutokukai and one of the swords was the Odenta Mitsuyo, another one of the Tenka Goken.
I was also very lucky to see the Tarosaku Masamune in the Maeda exhibition. I had wanted to see it in person for a long time!
The last slide is the Kiriha Sadamune which was my personal favourite of the day.