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    Sale 7115

    IMPORTANT SWORDS FROM THE MUSEUM OF JAPANESE SWORD FITTINGS

    London

    |

    10 November 2004

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    • A Yamashiro Katana
    Lot 67

    A Yamashiro Katana

    UNSIGNED, ATTRIBUTED TO RAI KUNITSUGU, LATE KAMAKURA PERIOD (14TH CENTURY)

    Price realised

    GBP 26,290

    Estimate

    GBP 12,000 - GBP 18,000

    Follow lot

    A Yamashiro Katana
    Unsigned, attributed to Rai Kunitsugu, Late Kamakura Period (14th Century)
    Sugata [configuration]: honzukuri, iori-mune, chu-kissaki shallow koshizori

    Kitae [forging pattern]: running itame and mokume with jinie

    Hamon [tempering pattern]: suguha of konie with wide habuchi and ko-ashi, nijuba

    Boshi [tip]: midare komi

    Horimono [carvings]: bohi on both sides

    Nakago [tang]: suriage, four holes

    Habaki [collar]: double, copper-gilt

    In shirasaya [plain wood scabbard]

    Nagasa [length from tip to beginning of tang]: 71.4cm.

    Sori [curvature]: 1.8cm.

    Motohaba [width at start of tempered edge]: 3.2cm.

    Sakihaba [width before tip]: 2.2cm.

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    Lot Essay

    Kunitsugu was a pupil of Rai Kunitoshi and grandchild of Kuniyuki. He is said to have been the cousin of Kunimitsu, and some old documents indicate that he was a pupil of Masamune. A later smith working around the 1360s is referred to as Rai Kunitsugu II. The bright hada, rich in jinie, and the clearly defined nijuba are characteristics of Kamakura Period Yamashiro work. The sword is attributed to Rai Kunitsugu on the registration document.

    Other information

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    VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer's premium


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