A YASUHIRO DRAGON WAKIZASHI
Overview (full text description follows photos)
Type: Wakizashi (signed)
Item No.: ujwa051
Swordsmith: Yasuhiro
Location: Edo (Tokyo)
Period: Eisho Era (circa 1504~1520)
Length: 38.2cm
Curvature: 0.8cm
Hamon: Notare Gunome (long wavy temper line) with a Sanbonsugi (3-peak) pattern
Koshirae: Edo-period Aikuchi koshirae mounting (literally “fitting mouth”) is a form of mounting for Japanese blades in which the handle and the scabbard meet without a guard (tsuba) in between)
Included: Tokubetsu Kicho certificate, koshirae (mountings), shirasaya scabbard, traditional katana 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 Yokota Sword Show, Spring 2012
Photos (click for larger view)
*All photos taken professionally by Eric Bossick for Unique Japan
A signed blade that reads YASUHIRO CRAFTED SWORD FROM EDO (Tokyo area)
A hirazukuri (flat) shaped sword with a full groove.
The sword is in excellent condition.
Above: A view of the beautiful mokume jihada (tight wood grain body)
A valuable gold habaki fastens the sword
Above and below: A complete Edo-period matching koshirae with a dragon theme
2012 is the “Year of the Dragon” giving the sword extra significance
Above: A close look at the hamon (temper line)
Notice the ‘3 peak’ pattern with the lovely notare wave
Above and below: A close look at the aikuchi koshirae
When snuggly fastened, the dragons match up perfectly
Above: This is a dragon-designed kurigata (the hole where the silk sageo passes through)
Above and below: The kozuka (utility knife) portion of the koshirae
Above and below: The kozuka features a butterfly design. The Japanese view butterflies as souls of the living and the dead. They are considered symbols of joy and longevity.
Above: A close shot of the dragon-designed kashira (pommel)
Above: A closer look at the signed nakago (tang)
Above and below: A shirasaya in fine condition
Above: silk carry bag for shirasaya
Below, the vintage silk bag for the koshirae with the cranes flying high
Cranes symbolize longevity in Japan are the country’s national bird
Above: This sword has a rare 1980 NBTHK certificate valuing it as “especially precious”
Below: The sword’s torokusho (registration card)
Description:
This is beautiful signed Yasuhiro wakizashi (more like an o-tanto (long tanto) given it’s shape, length and style).
The green NBTHK certification achievement of Tokubestu kicho (especially precious) is very rare – issued by the NBTHK in Showa 55 (1980). A collectible in its own right as it was only issued from Showa 55 to 57 (1980-1982).
As the sword is signed that it was made in “Edo” (Tokyo), only one swordsmith by the name of Yasuhiro is listed in official records. He worked during the Eisho period, circa 1504.
Apart from this, not much more is known of the man. This is surely one of the only known swords in existence by swordsmith Yasuhiro.
The bold bo-hi (groove) running along the blade makes this a blade that could cut extremely well. A sword that is sharp with a breathtaking gunome notare hamon (temper line).
The sword is also blessed with a sanbonsugi hamon(3 peak temper line). Notice how there is a distinct jump every third ‘tree’ inside the wave. This is such an impressively artistic hamon!
An outstanding original aikuchi koshirae with matching dragon elements all from the Edo period (19th century) compliments this sword magnificently.
This is a top quality and extremely collectible Samurai sword that will look lovely on display. PK
Special Gift
As a special gift for the customer who purchases this beautiful wakizashi directly with Unique Japan, WE WILL INCLUDE AN ENGRAVED 3-PIECE SET OF OUR KUROMORI KITCHEN KNIVES OR OYAMA KITCHEN KNIVES. OR 50% OFF the R4 DAMASCUS KITCHEN KNIVES.
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.
Upcoming Sword Shows
If you have the pleasure of living in Japan or visiting the country, we strongly recommend that you come to one of our upcoming sword shows.
At each show, we have dozens of beautiful Japanese swords to you to discover and secure for your immediate ownership.
If you cannot make it to a show, but you see something you would like to own from our website please contact me for purchase inquiries.
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.