WITH SIGNATURE MASATSUNE, KAMAKURA PERIOD (12TH-13TH CENTURY)

Details

A KAMAKURA TACHI
WITH SIGNATURE MASATSUNE, KAMAKURA PERIOD (12TH-13TH CENTURY)
Sugata [configuration]: honzukuri, iorimune, fumbari, deep koshizori curve with utsumuki, ko-kissaki
Kitae [forging pattern]: itame with mokume
Hamon [tempering pattern]: gunome midare with choji, sunagashi, kinsuji, tobiyaki and some yubashiri
Boshi [tip]: indistinct komaru
Nakago [tang]: slight suriage with machi-okuri, three mekugi-ana, file marks indistinct, shallow kurijiri tip
Habaki [collar]: single gold-clad copper
Nagasa [length]: 76.7 cm.
Koshirae [mounting]: handachi koshirae with black lacquered scabbard carved with a fishnet motif, black lacquered samegawa hilt bound with leather, matching black patinated iron fittings, the suspension band and some spacers lacking, rounded square iron Tembo style tsuba with brass chirakashi inlay and characters 'Ten ' [heaven], in relief 19th century

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

The blade is of very ancient shape and blade characteristics, although it is difficult to match the two characters for Masatsune with other versions of that signature such as those of Bizen and Bitchu provinces of the Heian and early Kamakura periods. The 19th century handachi mounting reflects the 'Restoration' spirit of the times, and the revival of ancient military fashions. Although the boshi is difficult to see it seems intact and the blade is quite healthy and the hamon rich in the activity which characterises early work

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