SIGNED SHIGETOSHI, MEIJI PERIOD (1905)

Details

A RARE PRIVY COUNCILLOR'S SWORD
Signed Shigetoshi, Meiji Period (1905)
The slender blade honzukuri, iorimune [shallow peaked back] with chu-kissaki [medium point], shallow koshi-zori [with the centre of the curve near the tang], ko-itamehada [fine wood grain] with ji-nie [hard bright areas of steel in the metal], ko-midare hamon [tempering pattern with small irregular undulations] of nie [hard bright areas of steel] with a wide habuchi and sunagashi [thick lines of nie], chumaru boshi [medium turn-back in the tempering pattern at the point], a dragon and ken [straight sword] horimono [carving] and a bohi [groove] on one side and a bohi with gomabashi [lines with curved finials] in relief on the other side, ubu nakago [unaltered tang], signed Ikkansai Shigetoshi with a kao and dated Meiji 38th year [1905], made at the age of 68 the mounting in Kamakura style, the mounts of gilt-copper nanako [granulated] chiselled with chrysanthemums, the saya [scabbard] mounted with rogin [copper-silver alloy] plates inlaid with gilt kiri-mon [paulownia crests] and gilt-copper fukurin [edging] with chrysanthemums in kebori [fine engraving], worn, the similar tsuka [hilt] with a kenukigata [hairpin-shaped fitting], the gilt tsuba [guard] similarly chiselled, early 20th century
24¾in. (63.3cm.) long

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

The mounting is said to be a copy of the Hatomaru Tachi. The members of the Sumitsuin or Privy Council, instituted in 1888, were the highest civilian advisors to the Emperor and the mounting resembles those worn by members of the Gensuito, the highest military council.

More from JAPANESE ART AND DESIGN

View All