Page 171 - Bonhams, The H Collection, Classical Chinese Furniture, May 13, 2021 London

47
A KATANA (LONG SWORD) WITH
LACQUER MOUNTS
By Shoji Yamon Naokatsu (active 1864-1868), late
Edo Period (1615-1868), dated Genji Year 1 (1864)
The blade of shinogi-zukuri form with torii-zori, chu-
gissaki, and iori-mune, gunome-ha of varying nie
and nioi, itame-hada, midari-komi, the ubu-nakago
with kesho-yasuri and one mekugi-ana, signed
Genji gannen kinoe-ne hachigatsu no hi, Shoji
Yamon Naokatsu (A day in the eighth month in the
first, kinoe-ne, year of Genji [1864], Shoji Yamon
Naokatsu), in shirasaya (plain wood scabbard);
the saya (scabbard) lacquered black with densely
sprinkled aogai nashiji (sprinkled mother-of-pearl),
the tsuba (sword guard) iron signed Shoji Yamon
Naokatsu, the fuchigashira (matching hilt collar and
pommel), kurikata (knob for tying cord), and kojiri
(scabbard tip) silvered metal decorated with waves,
the fuchi signed Hirotsugu with a kao; the menuki
shakudo with dragons amongst clouds.
The saya: 90cm (35 1/2in) long;
The blade: 70.2cm (27 5/8in) long. (2).
£4,000 - 6,000
CNY36,000 - 54,000
日本江戶時代，元治一年（1864年）荘 司弥門直勝作
黑漆包鞘打刀

Provenance:
An important European private collection

來源：
歐洲重要私人收藏

Shoji Yamon Naokatsu was the student and
successor of Jiro Taro Naokatsu (died 1858) and
the adopted son of Taikei Naotane (1778-1857).
At the close of the Edo period, Japan’s military
class showed a general inclination toward traditional
samurai values, possibly a reaction to a rapidly
failing feudal system. Clinging to the ‘old ways’,
swordsmiths began producing blades reminiscent
of relics from the past. This sword, forged at the
very end of the feudal period shows characteristics
more in keeping with some of the robust blades
from the Kamakura period (1185-1333) with a wide
mihaba, extended kissaki, and slight koshizori.

For details of the charges payable in addition to the final Hammer Price of each Lot
please refer to paragraphs 7 & 8 of the Notice to Bidders at the back of the catalogue. THE H COLLECTION | 169