A MUROMACHI PERIOD SUE-SEKI HITATSURA HAMON WAKIZASHI
This sword was sold at the Kamakura Sword Show Vol. V
Type: Hirazukuri Wakizashi (Unsigned)
Item No.: ujwa019
Swordsmith: Attributed to the Sue-Seki (未関) school by the NBTHK
Period: Late Muromachi Period (circa 1500AD)
Location: Town of Seki in Mino province (present day Gifu prefecture)
Length: 32.1cm
Curvature: 0.1cm
Hamon: Hitatsura (a rare full temper with spots of tobiyaki)
Koshirae: Full Edo-period koshirae mounting with shirasaya scabbard to better preserve the blade
Habaki: Expertly crafted copper inlay
Certification: NBTHK Hozon (A sword designated worthy of conserving by the Society for the Preservation of Japanese Art Swords)
Included: Hozon certificate, shirasaya (magnolia wood scabbard), traditional katana carry bag, sword maintenance kit, illustrated maintenance guide, sword stand, full exportation support to send sword to home country
This sword has been sold
Photos (click for larger view)
*All photos taken professionally by Eric Bossick for Unique Japan
Description:
The very desirable hitatsura hamon on (full temper with tobiyaki spots over the blade) is an example of heating this splendid wakizashi to extremely high temperatures, helping to make the sword remarkably sharp and visually stunning.
Tobiyaki are tempered spots within the ji (body) that are separate from the hamon (temperline).
This technique was first perfected by the Soshu tradition in the 13th and 14th centuries in the Kamakura area when the great swordsmith Masamune lived.
As this wakizashi is unsigned, we submitted it to the NBTHK (Society for the Preservation of Japanese Art Swords) and it was granted Hozon status. In their expert opinion, the sword was crafted 400-500 years ago in the Muromachi period by the Sue-Seki school in Mino province.
** “Mino-province swords were, from the start, famous for their sharpness. Smiths centered in the town of Seki are representative of the Mino tradition of the time just after the middle of the Muromachi period. Generally, Mino-province swords of this period are known as Sue-Seki swords, because of the prosperity of the town of Seki.”
** (From the Connoisseur’s Book of Japanese Swords by Kokan Nagayama, page 217):
During the late Muromachi period of intense civil war, Samurai from all over Japan were highly dependent on quality swords from Seki.
A beautiful Edo-period koshirae (at least 150 years old) blesses this unique sword. All pieces match, which is something to always look for. The tiny rhythmic detail of waves, long-life cranes flying high, dusting of pure gold decorate this remarkable piece just perfectly. Notice Mount Fuji is featured on the fuchi (collar),
Another interesting feature of the koshirae are the unique menuki (tiny ornamental grips under the silk handle). They are a collage of fern leaves, oranges, and lobsters that represent good fortune and a long, fruitful life.
The Samurai would traditionally have new ito (silk) woven around the tsuka (handle) at the start of each year. An inspirational talking point for this wakizashi.
A very understated point of supreme elegance is how the saya (scabbard) is created. Very patiently the craftsman sprinkles layers and layers of tiny particles of carefully selected colored seashells. It’s kept secure by equal layers of pure Japanese lacquer. 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.
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