Lot 196
196
A CHOKUTO [straight sword]
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VA… Read more
A CHOKUTO [straight sword]

MEIJI PERIOD (LATE 19TH CENTURY)

Details
A CHOKUTO [straight sword]
MEIJI PERIOD (LATE 19TH CENTURY)
A Meiji period copy of the chokuto [straight sword] number 1 in Inner Store number 8 of the Shosoin, the 8th century treasure repository of the Todaiji temple in Nara, which was built to house the effects of the Emperor Shomu after his death in 756 AD.
The blade is 64.4cm long, and appears to be a faithful copy with a narrow suguha hamon like the original
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

Following the Meiji restoration in 1867 the Emperor permitted a number of objects in the Shosoin to be copied by the greatest craftsmen of the day for the edification of the people and the promotion of traditional crafts. Like the original the metal fittings are of gilt copper with karakusa kebori on a nanako ground, excepting for the rim of the kojiri, which was of silver, but is missing from this piece. Like the original also, the scabbard is of black lacquer with depleted scrolling in mitsuda-e.

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