Description
1 fine antique Kanbun era (1661-1673 A.D.) katana attributed to Bizen no Kami Sukekuni. The partial fold-over signature on the nagako is a desirable feature.
A description of this sword by Andrew Quirt:
‘Shinogizukure, iroi mune, chu kissaki, sakizori. Although this is a product of Kambun times (1661 – 16 73), the sugata better resembles sue koto. Hawatare: 2 shaku 0 sun 9 bu 5 bu 6 rin (63.5 cm /25″). Motohaba: 2.8 cm. Sakihaba: 2 cm, Kasane: 7.27 mm. Nioi deki , bright tight habuchi, gunome midare, togare, tobiyaki, long yakidashi, nado. Tight itame hada with konie throughout. NBTHK Kanteisho , February 14, 1965. Double triangle in Nihonto Meikan, Rated Chujosaku in Fujishiro’s Nihon Toko Jiten – Shinto Hen, valued at 3,500,000 yen in Toko Taikan.
His home province was Kii. He was of the Ishido school famous for working in the style of early Bizen masters.
The handachi koshirae is mounted with well patinaed plain red copper tosogu. The same, with the exception of a large nodule, is polished smooth and lacquered gold. The triple mon menuki ae shakudo nanako , central element having gilt veins. The ishime saya is a muted red orange. The early Edo red copper tsuba, convex on the front, flat on the back. A subtle moku diamond shape, two graceful dips at each quadrant. The design on the face is acid etched. The surface was covered with wax and all but the decorative images were cut away. This was a technique was used in later Chinese export items, so it could have been learned from either the Chinese or the Portuguese. Likely a northern tsuba from Kushu, although some Higo people used this technique.* There are some silver highlights. The back has lesser decoration, and a bit of silver. The kogaians is lined with silver.
*My thanks to Robert Haynes.’
CONDITION:
The blade is in fine polish. The saya lacquer has chips and flaking.
