Lot Essay
Accompanied by a certificate of registration as Tokubetsu Juyo Token [especially important sword] issued by the Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai [Society for the Preservation of the Japanese Art Sword] at the 19th Tokubetsu Juyo Shinsa in 2006.
The koshirae, although now depleted of tsuba, kozuka and kogai is accompanied by a certificate of registration as Tokubetsu Kicho Kodogu [Sword Fittings Particularly Worthy of Preserving] no. 626, issued by the Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai [Society for the Preservation of the Japanese Art Sword] on the 20th April 1969.
Along with Kanemitsu, Chogi can be considered a representative of Bizen smiths during the Nambokucho Period. Although old documents tell that he was one of Masmune's Ten Pupils his earliest known work is dated to the Joji era (1362-1368), considerably after the days of Masamune. There are hirazukuri tanto signed Chogi, but his long swords are cut-down from a great original length, like this piece, so that no signature remains. The swords are characteristically large and robust, with hamon more violently active than the work of his contemporaries in Bizen Province.
The koshirae, although now depleted of tsuba, kozuka and kogai is accompanied by a certificate of registration as Tokubetsu Kicho Kodogu [Sword Fittings Particularly Worthy of Preserving] no. 626, issued by the Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai [Society for the Preservation of the Japanese Art Sword] on the 20th April 1969.
Along with Kanemitsu, Chogi can be considered a representative of Bizen smiths during the Nambokucho Period. Although old documents tell that he was one of Masmune's Ten Pupils his earliest known work is dated to the Joji era (1362-1368), considerably after the days of Masamune. There are hirazukuri tanto signed Chogi, but his long swords are cut-down from a great original length, like this piece, so that no signature remains. The swords are characteristically large and robust, with hamon more violently active than the work of his contemporaries in Bizen Province.