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Lot Essay
Accompanied by a certificate of registration, as a Juyo Kodogu [Important Metal Fittings] issued at the 5th Juyo shinsa on 25 June 1960 and a Juyo certificate of registration as a Juyo Token [Important Sword] no.4435 issued at the 22nd Juyo shinsa on June 1 1974, this latter covering both blade and koshirae, both certificates issued by the Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai [Society for the Preservation of the Japanese Art Sword].
Daishinbo is probably the most mysterious name among all Japanese sword-smiths. Although early documents refer to his excellence, and state that he made the horimono on the swords of Yukimitsu and Masamune, there are no extant signed blades by him. Many legends surround his name. A far-fetched version has him as the monk Yukei Hoshi, and that he worked in the same group as Kishin Dao Yukihira at Nikko-san in the late 12th century. Other records have it that he was a pupil of Shintogo Kunimitsu, and died in 1324 aged 108. One theory is that he is the same person as Kuniyasu, but there are no signed versions of either name in existence. He is also believed to have been a yamabushi of Haguro-san in Dewa province (lot 283, a tanto by Gassan). But all records are agreed that he was a great sculptor of horimono. Whatever the truth about this elusive figure, the present sword is unique in having been acknowledged as a genuine masterpiece of Daishinbo by the NBTHK. The subject, most exquisitely carved, of Fudo-Myo-O shown with his two doji acolytes Kongara and Seitaka, is outstanding, although worn, and the blade itself is of a quality commensurate with early Soshu work.
The mounting, with its hirumaki koshirae is in in high Momoyama style, with an early example of fine quality Goto school mitokoromono.
Daishinbo is probably the most mysterious name among all Japanese sword-smiths. Although early documents refer to his excellence, and state that he made the horimono on the swords of Yukimitsu and Masamune, there are no extant signed blades by him. Many legends surround his name. A far-fetched version has him as the monk Yukei Hoshi, and that he worked in the same group as Kishin Dao Yukihira at Nikko-san in the late 12th century. Other records have it that he was a pupil of Shintogo Kunimitsu, and died in 1324 aged 108. One theory is that he is the same person as Kuniyasu, but there are no signed versions of either name in existence. He is also believed to have been a yamabushi of Haguro-san in Dewa province (lot 283, a tanto by Gassan). But all records are agreed that he was a great sculptor of horimono. Whatever the truth about this elusive figure, the present sword is unique in having been acknowledged as a genuine masterpiece of Daishinbo by the NBTHK. The subject, most exquisitely carved, of Fudo-Myo-O shown with his two doji acolytes Kongara and Seitaka, is outstanding, although worn, and the blade itself is of a quality commensurate with early Soshu work.
The mounting, with its hirumaki koshirae is in in high Momoyama style, with an early example of fine quality Goto school mitokoromono.