Page 101 - Fine Japanese Art October 28, 2020 Galerie Zacke

96 | A KO-WAKIZASHI IN
UNUSUAL ‘EBI‘ KOSHIRAE

Japan, dated 1864, late Edo period (1615-1868)

The blade:
The curved blade with shinogi-zukuri and iori mune, the hamon
with sanbonsugi, the hada is obscured. The nakago (tang) with one
mekugi-ana, the yasurime is o-sujikai, the tip is rounded. One side
shows the dating of Bunkyu, third year, eighth month ‘on a happy day’,
corresponding to 1864, the other side is signed Ise kuni ... ju HIROMICHI
saku.
The mounting:
The mounting is quite remarkable, the handle and scabbard are boldly
ribbed and lacquered red, reminiscent of an ebi (lobster). The small oval
tsuba with ryohitsu is finely and densely chased. The bronze fuchi and
kashira are also finely chased, the two offset buttons on the handle with
cherry blossoms. The kozuka shows a high relief with some gold nunome
depicting a buffalo herd on a finely chased ground on one side and a
rabbit and floral composition on the other. The unusually long kogai
consists of two narrow parts, decorated with waves. The curved-in tip of
the scabbard with a decorative element worked in copper.
NAGASA 34.8 cm, blade LENGTH 47.6 cm, total LENGTH 57 cm
Condition: The mounting is excellent condition with only very minor wear.
The blade is heavily worn.
Provenance: Hungarian private collection.
Estimate EUR 1,500
Starting price EUR 750