Lot 66
East Asia, Japan, early Edo Period, ca. 1600 to 1610 CE. A stunning steel katana of lengthy, unsigned (o-suriage) form featuring a shinogi-cukuri blade profile and an attractive gunome-choji temper pattern along with a diamond-shaped tip. The handle (tsuka) is lined with stingray skin and accented with gold-colored menuki beneath the forest-green handle wrappings (tsuka-ito). The end caps (fuchi and kashira) are comprised of shakudo while the sukashi-form hand guard (tsuba) is shaped like a series of curved clouds. The lacquer-covered scabbard is fitted with a green tie belt and is likely a more-modern replacement for the original. Size (w/ sheath): 40" L x 3" W x 3.3" H (101.6 cm x 7.6 cm x 8.4 cm); (blade): 29" L x 1.125" W (73.7 cm x 2.9 cm)
The katana is an example of a daito, a long sword, that could only be worn by samurai of higher rank (shorter swords called wakizashi could be worn by craftsmen, traders, and merchants, and are more commonly found today). Over the centuries that katana were made, the process of their manufacture became heavily regulated. For example, in 1683, the Tokugawa Shogunate made laws about the maximum size of katana and wakizashi. Meanwhile, once a samurai took ownership of his new weapon, he had to wear it in a highly regulated manner. Katana in this period were both deadly weapons and signs of status. The craftsmanship of this piece is evident and reflects hundreds of hours of work.
Provenance: private Jones collection, Boulder, Colorado, USA; ex-private Sacramento, California, USA collection
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#186055
- Condition: Blade and handle are from the early Edo period; scabbard, tie belt, and handle end caps are likely more modern replacements for the original components. Minor nicks on blade, otherwise intact and excellent. Great luster across most surfaces.
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