101 - KANENOBU (ATTR.): A FINE WAKIZASHI IN KOSHIRAE

KANENOBU (ATTR.): A FINE WAKIZASHI IN KOSHIRAE Attributed to Kanenobu, unsigned Japan, Mino province, Kanbun period (1661-1673) The wakizashi is accompanied by a Kanteisho (‘Judgement paper’), no. 16616, issued by the Nihon Token Hozon Kai, dated 9 March Heisei 20 [2008], with a rubbing of the tang, attributing the wakizashi to Den Noshu Kanenobu and judging it genuine. The blade: Sugata (shape): shinogi zukuri, iori mune, torii-zori, chu-kissaki Hamon (temper line): togari-gunome in sanbonsugi style with sunagashi Hada (forging grain pattern): itame and masame Boshi (tip): midare-komi, the tip in hakake Nakago (tang): ubu (not shortened), kiri-jiri, the yasurime is taka no ha, one mekugi ana Mei/Uramei (signature): mumei (unsigned) The mounting: Habaki (blade collar): two-set, gold and silver foil over copper Tsuba (sword guard): of marugata form, with one kozuka and kogai hitsu ana, the kogai hitsu ana plugged in shakudo, the iron engraved with kiku blossoms Fuchi-kashira (handle fittings): the fuchi of shakudo nanako with a gold takazogan hen, rooster, and bamboo, the kashira of black-lacquered horn Tsuka (handle): samegawa (rayskin), leather tsuka-ito, gilt and shakudo menuki in form of zodiac animals Saya (sheath): black lacquer with black lacquer kurigata Kozuka (utility knife): copper suaka with gold and silver takazogan, signed Kanesada NAGASA 48.5 cm (blade length), SORI 0.8 cm (curvature) LENGTH 60.1 cm (blade and tang), 70.5 cm (koshirae) Provenance: Hungarian private collection. Zacke, Fine Japanese and Netsuke Art, 22 June 2019, Vienna, lot 46. From a German private collection specializing in Japanese swords and fittings, acquired from the above. Condition: Very good condition with minor wear. The saya with few nicks, light scratches, and touchups to the opening around the kozuka, few minor losses to the gold foil on the seppa.