A KAGA ZOUGAN INLAY WAKIZASHI
Overview (full text description follows photos)
Type: O-Wakizashi (Unsigned)
Item No.: ujwa049
Swordsmith: Unknown
Period: LATE MUROMACHI – EARLY EDO (circa 1550~1630)
Location: Mino Province (present-day Gifu prefecture)
Length: 52.7cm
Curvature: 1.0cm
Hamon: Gunome (waves) and Suguha (straight)
Habaki: Silver inlay on copper base
Included: Koshirae mounting, silk brocade carry bag, sword maintenance kit, illustrated maintenance guide, sword stand, full exportation support to send sword to home country
This sword was sold at the Kamakura Sword Show Vol. V
Photos (click for larger view)
*All photos taken professionally by Eric Bossick for Unique Japan
Description:
This is a quality Japanese Samurai sword blessed with a beautiful set of koshirae (mounts).
The tsuba (guard) is made by a technique known in Japan as ‘Kaga zougan’ – or damascening. It is the art of inlaying gold into a darkly oxidized steel backgrounds to produce intricate geometric patterns.
The Japanese imperial family kikumon (chrysanthemum) is featured on the tsuba suggesting lineage of a very high standing.
The technique has a long history in Kaga or present-day Kanazawa prefecture.
The menuki under the silk tsuka (handle) are of shisa lions, which bring the owner good luck and wards off evil spirits in the home.
What gives this wakizashi tremendous character is the very rare intricately carved depiction of Susano-o on the saya (scabbard) . Susano-o is the Japanese Shinto god of the sea and storms. He is protecting this sword with all his legendary power and might.
Fantastically decorative, even the hamon (temper line) features a unique mixture of suguha (straight) and gunome (wavy) patterns. Furthermore, the itame (wood grain) pattern on the sword gives it strength and character.
This is a marvelously old sword that has been well maintained throughout its lifetime within Samurai families. In fact, this sword was registered in Showa 26, 1951, the very first year when only Daimyo (great) families were invited to register their swords. A truly great honor it was. PK
Questions?
To request further information or secure immediate ownership of this sword, please email me, Pablo Kuntz.
For steps toward ownership including all payment options, visit 5 Easy Steps to Owning an Authentic Japanese Samurai Sword.
ALL SAMURAI SWORDS from Unique Japan are GUARANTEED AUTHENTIC and come with a 3-DAY WORRY FREE Inspection Period.
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At each show, we have dozens of beautiful Japanese swords to you to discover and secure for your immediate ownership.
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Legal Exportation from Japan
Unique Japan has safely sent dozens of swords from Japan to countries all over the world. All legal exportation paperwork is included with every purchase. Please allow about 4 weeks for us to process and ship an order from Japan.