YOSC 2012 Spring Bazaar Saturday, March 31 (9am – 6pm) Sunday, April 1, (10am – 4pm) Yokota Air Base Taiyo Community Center Japanese Sword Collection The following pages contain descriptions for the Japanese swords that Unique Japan plans to have for sale at the YOSC Spring 2012 Bazaar. Each piece is a genuine Japanese antique and can be legally owned and exported outside of Japan to the United States or most anywhere 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 samurai 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 $6,350 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 $6,500 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 BUSHU JU FUJIWARA NO 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 (zig-zag wavy temper line) Certificate: Tokubestu Kicho (Sword designated as especially precious by the Society for the Preservation of the Japan Art Sword) Included: Shirasaya (magnolia scabbard), silk carry bag, sword stand, maintenance kit, printed care guide, exportation paperwork $14,000 Behold a classic Kanbun Shinto sword, where the blade starts off quite wide at the base and then gradually tapers to a point. Being more than 70cm and in its original condition makes this magnificent sword extra collectible. A custom made koshirae would be a grand idea for a sword of this level of quality. This is a prime example of quality sword making over 340 years ago. 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 $6,800 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. 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. A gold-colored silk hilt and other quality koshirae mounts make up this very enviable example from the era of the last Samurai. 5 A YAMATO TOSHIYUKI KATANA* signed, end of edo / early meiji period (19th century) Swordsmith: Yamato no Kuni Toshiyuki (大和国俊) Location: Yamato (Nara prefecture) Length: 65.5cm Curvature: 1.6cm Hamon: Combination of Gunome and Ko-choji (waves and small cloves) Included: Koshirae, silk carry bag, sword stand, maintenance kit, printed care guide, DVD and exportation services $4,980 * Toshiyuki was the younger brother of the great Yamato no Kuni Taima Kuniyuki who flourished in the Late Kamakura period (13th century). It must be said; this beautiful katana carries the hallmarks of a very different era of sword making. Couple this with a rather clean condition of the nakago (tang), we can deduce that the blade is about 150 years old. Even though the signature on the nakago is not that of Toshiyuki’s, it is without question, a very striking katana with a fine curvature and brilliant hamon (temper line) that fills the sword with waves and clove blossoms. The menuki (ornament under the silk thread) is that of a revered dragon which traditionally gives power to the Samurai. The ocean wave-inspired tsuba (guard) further compliments the sword’s mounting as a superb display piece. 6 A PHOENIX KATANA unsigned, nanbokucho - muromachi (circa 1350-1450) Location: Unknown Length: 64.3cm Curvature: 1.4cm Hamon: Uma no Ha Midare (horse teeth) and Gunome Choji with Sunagashi Boushi: Kaen Boushi (streaks of fire) Certificate: To be applied if desired Included: Koshirae, silk carry bag, sword stand, maintenance kit, printed care guide, DVD, registration and all exportation paperwork $5,150 Judging by the nakago (tang) and curvature of this katana, it was made in the late 1300s to early 1400s, more than 500 years ago. The blade is in old polished state, though the beauty of the blade is clearly visible. The eye-catching horse-tooth hamon with clove waves is beautiful. Look for the streaks of fire in the tip of the blade! There are some rusty dots around 10cm above habaki. The rust has penetrated the blade, so if it is polished, the rust will still be slightly visible. Applying for NBTHK Hozon (conservation status) would likely see a positive result given the age and good condition of the blade. The koshirae (mountings) comprise of clouds and phoenix on fuchi (collar). The menuki (ornament under the hilt’s silk) is of revered shisa lions that keep the blade clean from evil spirits (as they do in front of Japanese shrines). The tsuba (guard) represents a tree depicting a long and healthy life. This is a fine Japanese sword that should definitely rise again. 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 $5,800 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. 8 A TSUGUHIRO WAKIZASHI signed, early edo period (circa kanbun era: 1661-1673) Swordsmith: Omi no Kami Fujiwara no Tsuguhiro (近江守藤原継広) Location: Signed Echizen (Fukui prefecture) Length: 53.1cm Curvature: 1.4cm Hamon: Gunome Midare (random wave temper line) Certificate: NBTHK Hozon (A sword designated worthy of conserving by the Society for the Preservation of the Japan Art Sword) Included: Koshirae (complete sword mountings), shirasaya (magnolia wood scabbard), silk carry bag, sword stand, maintenance kit, printed care guide, DVD, registration and all exportation paperwork $7,250 This extra long 350 year-old wakizashi was expertly crafted and signed by Tsuguhiro who belonged to the Fujiwara clan in the Echizen region on the Sea of Japan. The blades overall balance is sublime – notice how the base of the sword is thick and gradually tapers to the tip, this is a prominent feature of swords made during the Kanbun Period, circa 1673-1681. The sword’s bold gunome midare (wavy temper line) and a red celebratory koshirae mounting for good luck compliment this sword wonderfully well.