A Shinto Long Blade (Katana)

EDO PERIOD (17TH CENTURY), SIGNED INOUE IZUMI NO KAMI KUNISADA [SHINKAI] AND DATED KANBUN JUNINEN HACHIGATSU HI (1672.8), AND WITH A CHRYSANTHEMUM EMBLEM

Details

A Shinto Long Blade (Katana)
Edo period (17th century), signed Inoue Izumi no kami Kunisada [Shinkai] and dated Kanbun juninen hachigatsu hi (1672.8), and with a chrysanthemum emblem
The blade shinogi-zukuri (longitudinal ridge), iori-mune (shallow-peaked back) with a chu-gissaki (medium point) and shallow torii-zori curvature; forging pattern komokume (fine wood grain) with jinie (hard metal granules over the surface of the blade) and chikei (short lines of nie); the tempered edge hiro-suguha (broad straight line) with ko-midare of nie, komaru-boshi (gently turned-back temper line); tang ubu (unaltered) with steep kurijiri (rounded heel), file marks sujikai (diagonal, descending to the right), one peg hole
27½in. (69.7cm) long; width near habaki 1¼in. (3.2cm.); width near tip 7/8in. (2.2cm.)
With a Hozon (Worthy of Preserving) certificate issued by Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai (Society for the Preservation of the Japan Art Sword), dated 2002.8.1

Lot Essay

In 1661, Shinkai forged and presented a fine sword to the imperial family. In appreciation of his work they conferred the chrysanthemum crest as a reward. Shinkai is known as the second generation Kunisada and began signing Inoue Shinkai after the late summer of 1672. This blade is one of the last recorded works bearing his earlier signature.

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