Page 50 - Fine Japanese Art November 29, 2019 Galerie Zacke

32 | HEKI MITSUHIRA: A RARE KOTO NAGASA 54 cm
KATATE-UCHI WITH KINZOGAN-MEI,
WITH KOSHIRAE AND SHIRASAYA Condition: The blade in an excellent state of preservation, one
miniscule nick to the edge of the blade. The koshirae in superb
Unsigned, attributed to Heki Mitsuhira condition.
Japan, Shinto, ca. 1655, Edo period (1615-1868) Provenance: Important samurai art from an Austrian private
collection – Lots (31 – 39) are from an Austrian private collection,
assembled with great knowledge and care, as all the objects are in
A one-handed sword, mumei (unsigned) with kinzogan-mei, a superior state of preservation. The collection most prominently
attributed to Heki Mitsuhira, the most accomplished student of features three Koto swords, no. 31 is listed as a Juyo Token
Korekazu, founder of the Ishido school which revived the Ko- (= important work).
Ichimongi style. Accompanied by a certificate from the NBTHK
attesting to the sword’s quality and authenticity. Estimate EUR 15.000,-
Starting price EUR 7.500,-
The blade:
Shinogi-zukuri with ihori mune and ko-itame-mokume hada. The
hamon is choji midare, a clove-like temper line in nioi deki with
plenty of nie as well as tadpole choji with togari elements. Jifu-
utsuri, ‘reflections’ of the hamon in the form of spots forming a
pattern over the hiraji. The kinzogan-mei on the shortened nakago
reads Konkaidan Tameshigiri (cutting test), referring to the Kon
trigram from the I Ching, three broken lines which in this case
represent three severed bodies as well as the cutting strength of
this sword. The Kon trigram is also found on the gold habaki. The
blade is stored in a fine shirasaya which bears an inscription.

The mounting:
The koshirae is in part crafted in the style of the late Meiji period,
with the fuchi-kashira showing inazuma. The black lacquered saya
shows a roiro-nuri ground with a fine ribbed surface. The tsuka is
quite distinct, its same ground down to form a smooth surface. The
gold applications in between the nodules give the tsuka a highly
attractive appearance. The older katchushi tsuba is engraved on the
omote side. The kozuka and kogai are fine examples of shibuichi
from an earlier period, probably mid to late Edo.

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