Description:

East Asia, Japan, Edo period, ca. late 17th to 19th century CE. A hand-forged steel wakizashi blade featuring an exuberant sudareba hamon (blade pattern). The tang (nakago) is crafted in the machi-okuri style and has two holes for securing the blade to the handle with pegs. The tang is signed with two characters, attributed to the school of Tanba no Kami Yoshimichi. Eleven generations of swordsmiths from Yamashiro Province used the signature "Tanba (no) Kami Yoshimichi," from 1634 to 1853. The iron tsuba is gilded with 58% gold and displays an openwork landscape with buildings and figures. Characters are etched on each side of the tang hole. The fuchi and kashira fittings are made of iron with copper inlays, featuring raised bird and bamboo motifs. The blade is housed in a black lacquered saya with a wooden handle.

Sudareba is a specific type of blade pattern (hamon) found on Japanese swords formed during the tempering process, named after its resemblance to a traditional bamboo blind, or "sudare". The sudareba pattern was developed by Tanba no Kami Yoshimichi, and this unique hamon is considered one of the most distinctive blade patterns in Japanese swordmaking. The first Tanba no Kami Yoshimichi was living in Kyoto by 1559 and granted the title "Tanba no Kami" in 1595. His swords were documented as early as 1634, and he is believed to have passed away around 1635 or 1636. Following the first Yoshimichi, the school flourished in the regions of Yamashiro (now part of Kyoto) and Settsu (now part of Osaka). The Sudareba hamon, a distinctive feature of Yoshimichi's blades, was unique to his work, and it was carried on by his followers.

Provenance: private Kihei, Hawaii, USA collection, purchased from Cowan's Auction, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, September 2, 2020, lot 105

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#189521

  • Condition: Blade has significant damage, and missing the tip. Chips and nicks along blade edges and surface from polishing. Copper habaki has a stable fissure along the narrow edge. Tsuba has scratches and abrasions, but otherwise good condition. Heavy oxidation and brittle edges to the iron kashira & fuchi fittings. Chips and abrasions to wood saya sheath. Wood handle has split along both sides and is fragile.

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November 22, 2024 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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