Page 94 - Fine Japanese Art October 28, 2020 Galerie Zacke

89 | A WAKIZASHI
IN KOSHIRAE
Japan, 17th-18th century,
Edo period (1615-1868)

The blade:
Shinogi-zukuri with bohi and iori
mune, the hamon with gunome
and with a slight tendency toward
sanbon-sugi. The nakago (tang) with
one mekugi-ana, the yasurime is
kiri, the tip is kiri as well.
The mounting:
The slightly oval iron tsuba with
hitsu shows the Chinese poet Li Bai,
known as Rihaku in Japan, sitting on
a rocky outcrop and marveling at
a waterfall, which is merely hinted
at with incised and inlaid lines.
The fuchi and kashira each show a
scaled dragon amid clouds, in part
with gold nunome. The menuki also
with some gold nunome showing
floral compositions. The black-
colored lacing is powerful. The saya
with deep black roironuri.
NAGASA 52.5 cm, blade LENGTH
66.6 cm, total LENGTH 72 cm
Condition: The blade is in excellent
condition with minor surface
wear, the mounting is in very good
condition with traces of wear, the
kozuka is missing.
Provenance: Hungarian private
collection.
Estimate EUR 1,500
Starting price EUR 750