The Kamakura Sword Show Vol. V Saturday, April 21 (10am – 5pm) doors close at 6pm Sunday, April 22, (10am – 5pm) doors close at 6pm Yoshida Gallery 2FL 2-12-33 Komachi, Kamakura Antique Japanese Swords For Sale The following pages contain descriptions for the Japanese swords that Unique Japan plans to have for sale at the Kamakura Sword Show Vol V. Each piece is a genuine Japanese antique and can be legally owned and exported outside of Japan to the United States or most elsewhere in the world. Descriptions and availability are subject to updates. Our staff will happily expand on the information presented so you can discover the full story of each unique piece of history. Unique Japan, Fine Art Dealer Antiques license issued by Meguro City, Tokyo (No.303291102398) Proud Member of the Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai (Society for the Preservation of the Japan Art Sword) 1 A SADAHIDE ARMY GUNTO signed + dated, 12th showa period (august, 1937) Swordsmith: Ecchu Koku ju Miyamoto Sadahide (越中国住宮本貞秀造之) Dated: August, 1937 (昭和拾二年八月吉日) Length: 68.0cm Curvature: 1.5cm Hamon: Suguha (straight) Included: Koshirae, silk carry bag, sword stand, maintenance kit, printed care guide, DVD, registration and all exportation paperwork ¥508,000 On sale! ¥465,000 ($5,813) This is a very fine WWII Army Gunto that was signed and dated in August 1937. It has a tremendous curvature and is rather long - approaching 70cm. The straight hamon (temper line) was inspired by swordsmiths who first made 900 years ago in the Heian Period. All Army and Navy guntos carry a Sakura (cherry blossom) theme. The Sakura is the national flower of Japan and the most masculine one. The Sakura is an important Samurai symbol because the cherry tree blooms for a very short time, and then they disappear. Like the Samurai warrior, the cherry blossom dies at the peak of its maturity. All seppa (washers) and tsuba (guard) match in numbers. This shows that the blade and scabbard are original to the blade. 2 A SHINODA UJIFUSA ARMY GUNTO signed, showa period (circa wwii) Length: 66.7cm Curvature: 1.0cm Hamon: Gunome with Kochoji (waves with cloves) Included: Koshirae, silk carry bag, sword stand, maintenance kit, printed care guide, DVD, registration and all exportation paperwork ¥520,000 On sale! ¥479,000 ($5,987) This is an excellent WWII Army Gunto held by a Company or Warrant Officer as signified by the brown-blue tassel suspended at the hilt. 氏房 (Ujifusa) is a name synonymous with quality sword making dating back several centuries. It is not entirely certain how the name Shinoda is related to the Ujifusa family but it would have been an honor bestowed upon him. All Army and Navy guntos carry a Sakura (cherry blossom) theme. The Sakura is the national flower of Japan and the most masculine one. The Sakura is an important Samurai symbol because the cherry tree blooms for a very short time, and then they disappear. Like the Samurai warrior, the cherry blossom dies at the peak of its maturity. The scabbard is made of heavy steel, so it’s one of the originals. Later made katanas were housed in aluminum scabbards so that steel could be used elsewhere during the war. All seppa (washers) and tsuba (guard) match in numbers, which is important when investing in top quality gunto swords. 3 A HIROSHIGE KATANA signed, edo period (circa kanbun era 1661~1673) Swordsmith: BUSHU JU FUJIWARA NO HIROSHIGE (武州住藤原広重) Length: 71.2cm Curvature: 1.6cm Hamon: Midare Gunome with beautiful nie (wavy temper line with crystals) Certificate: Tokubestu Kicho (Sword designated as Especially Precious by the Society for the Preservation of the Japan Art Sword) Included: Koshirae, shirasaya (magnolia scabbard), silk carry bag, sword stand, maintenance kit, printed care guide, exportation paperwork ¥1,200,000 On sale! ¥1,100,000 ($13,750) Behold a classic Kanbun Shinto katana in the early Edo period, where the blade gradually tapers to a point. With a blade length of more than 70cm, signed and in its original condition makes this sword very collectible. The fine Edo-period elements of the koshirae, features a fuchigashira (collar and pommel) signed by 埋忠重義 (Umetada Shigeyoshi). The bow and arrow are set in gold and silver on an iron base. Umetada Shigeyoshi of the Umetada school in Musashi (modern-day Tokyo and Saitama) was a skillful sword-fitting maker and held in high esteem. Swordsmith Hiroshige, also from Musashi, makes this sword and mounting a fine partnership. The menuki (ornamental grips under the silk handle) are of dragons bringing power and good fortune to the sword. The tsuba (guard) features waves and the moon. The symbolism of these elements says that once you are on waves, you will receive good luck. 4 A SHINSHINTO KATANA unsigned, late edo period (circa 1850) Length: 73.0cm Curvature: 2.1cm Hamon: Suguha (straight) and Ko-midare (small peaks of waves) Included: Koshirae (complete sword mountings), silk carry bag, sword stand, maintenance kit, printed care guide, registration and all exportation paperwork ¥545,000 On sale! ¥499,000 ($6,237) Awesome katanas such as this one were produced in an attempt to protect their land effectively from imminent foreign attack. The hamon (temper line) of this formidable piece is a mixture of straight suguha, and several beautiful tiny waves appear when drawn to the light. This katana was made at the time when the Samurai were fighting for survival over 150 years ago, sword makers in the later parts of the 19th century produced katanas that were designed to fend off the most towering opponent. A gold-colored silk hilt and other quality koshirae mounts make up this very enviable example from the Shin-shinto period. 5 A MASAIE WAKIZASHI signed, mid-late muromachi (circa 15th-16th century) Swordsmith: Mihara Ju Masaie (三原住正家) Location: Mihara (Bingo province, Hiroshima area) Length: 51.5cm Curvature: 0.8cm Hamon: Combination of Chusuguha with Nie and Komidare. Koashi and Uchinoke Certificate: Kicho (Sword designated as precious by the Society for the Preservation of the Japan Art Sword) Included: Certificate, Koshirae, shirasaya, silk carry bag, sword stand, maintenance kit, printed care guide, DVD, registration and all exportation paperwork ¥600,000 On sale! ¥560,000 ($7,000) The Mihara school in Bingo province (modern-day Hiroshima area), was founded by master swordsmith Masaie. Their workmanship was heavily influenced by the Yamato tradition, which has a 1000-year-old history, originating in Nara. This signed Masaie wakizashi was made by a succeeding generation of Masaie that carried on the family name about 500 (or more) years ago. The sword is blessed with a beautiful set of koshirae mounts all driven around a dragon-inspired theme. (left) The tsuba in this piece is referred to as being a “4 lobed Mokko”. The name is derived from the cross section of the tree melon. The influential Oda Daimyo Family Clan had a Mokka kamon (family crest). 6 A KANEMUNE WAKIZASHI signed, end of muromachi (circa 1532-1555) Swordsmith: Yamato no Kuni Kanemune (大和国包宗) Location: Unknown Length: 48.9cm Curvature: 0.8cm Hamon: Gunome Midare (circular waves) with Sunagashi(sand streaks) and Kinsen Jihada: Masame (straight grain – typical of Yamato tradition workmanship) Certificate: NBTHK Hozon (A sword designated worthy of conserving by the Society for the Preservation of the Japan Art Sword) Included: Certificate, Koshirae, shirasaya, silk carry bag, sword stand, maintenance kit, printed care guide, DVD, registration and all exportation paperwork ¥625,000 On sale! ¥570,000 ($7,125) According to the Toko Soran (book of swords), swordsmith Kanemune belonged to the infamous Yamato Tegai school. He worked in the Tenbun Era (1532-1555). On the NBTHK Hozon certificate, it reads "Shinto", which is a term technically reserved for swords that are made after 1600. However, the Tenbun Era is around the end of Muromachi period and when examining the beautiful rusty state of the nakago (tang), this is obviously a sword closer to 500 years old (Koto sword). An important point to observe on this sword is where the hamon (temper line) originates at the bottom of the blade. For about 5 or 6 cm, the hamon is suguha (straight), and then extends into a fantastic wavy midare hamon. This unique hamon is referred to as a suguha yakidashi. Typically, the expression is used to refer to Shinto blades (thus Shinto is written on the certificate). The fuchi-gashira (collar/pommel) is of Shakudo (gold copper) Japanese plum flowers. The menuki (ornamental grips) features a horse, plants and flowers for a healthy life. 7 A JUMYO (LONG LIFE) WAKIZASHI signed, mid-edo period (circa 1780) Swordsmith: Jumyo School Smith Length: 51.7cm Curvature: 0.8cm Hamon: Gunome (wavy temper line) Included: Koshirae (complete sword mountings), silk carry bag, sword stand, maintenance kit, printed care guide, DVD, registration and all exportation paperwork ¥500,000 On sale! ¥450,000 ($5,625) Their unique name, Jumyo, means life span or longevity. As it’s meaning is so hopeful, their swords were prized as celebrated gifts to Daimyo (great) families amongst the Samurai society. What makes this over 200 year-old wakizashi is that it is signed with the characters, 寿命 (Jumyo) on the tang. Authentication of this signature can be done with an NBTHK application if desired. It’s koshirae (mounting) is truly first class. Behold the finely handcrafted powerful dragon menuki (eyelets under the silk handle), absolutely stunning. The tortoise shell pattern on the very old and meaty tsuba (guard) is symbolic for a long life. The tsuba (guard) is also signed by Nobuie (1596-1615). The wavy gunome hamon (temper line) puts a finishing touch on such a gorgeous sword.