A JUNKEI NAGAMITSU STYLE KODACHI

Details

A JUNKEI NAGAMITSU STYLE KODACHI
DATED 1981, SIGNED MUSASHI (NO) KUNI YOSHIWARA YOSHINDO KORE O SAKU

Configuration (sugata): with longitudinal ridge line (shinogi-zukuri), shallow peaked back (iori-mune) and medium point (chu-kissaki); length (nagasa): 1 shaku, 9 sun, 5 bu (56.0cm.); curvature (sori): torii-zori of 1.6cm.; increase in width of blade (fumbari): 0.8cm.; carving (horimono): kaku-dome bo-hi on either side.
Forging pattern (jihada): very fine wood grain (itame) approaching pear skin (nashiji).
Tempering pattern (hamon): small clove and irregular patterns (choji midare) with frequent 'legs' (ashi) and yo.
Point (boshi): midare-komi with small rounded point (ko-maru).
Tang (nakago). Shape (keitai): wide, slightly uplifted and with some thin areas of discoloration; file marks (yasurime): sloping (sujikai); end (nakagojiri): rounded (kuri-jiri); holes (mekugi-ana): one; signature (tachimei): Musashi (no) Kuni (no) ju Yoshindo kore o saku/Sama Compton haku (Honorable Dr. Compton); date (jidai): Showa 56-nen 8-gatsu hi (a day in the 8th month of Showa 56 [1981]).

Shirasaya.

Silk storage bag.

Lot Essay

This blade was also commissioned by Dr. Compton. Compare this blade to a Junkei Nagamitsu kodachi sold as lot 244 in Part I of the Compton Collection sale. It would appear that Dr. Compton directed Yoshindo to create a kodachi comparable to it and the result was extremely successful: the comparative measurements are 1-7-9 and 1-9-5, both evidence a sharp turn in the hasaki at the yokote, the forging and tempering patterns are similar, and both are carved with kaku-dome bo-hi.

More from Japanese Swords & Sword Fittings from col Dr Walter Ames

View All