180 - A magnificent wakizashi, mei: Fujiwara Masayuki (Bungo)

A magnificent wakizashi, mei: Fujiwara Masayuki (Bungo) dating: 1650 circa provenance: Japan, Nagasa (length 41.5 cm), hamon komidare gunome, hada itame. Nakago mei "Fujiwara Masayuki (Bungo)" with a mekugi-ana. Big habaki made of silver. Two hi on one side and one hi on the opposite side of the blade. Preserved in a shirasaya. Fujiwara Masayuki was a Japanese master swordsmith belonging to the Takada tradition of Bungo Province on the island of Kyūshū, who was active during the early Edo period. The first generation is documented in the registers during the Keian era (1648–1652). The first generation is documented in records dating from the Keian era (1648–1652). According to genealogical tradition, Masayuki was the son of the swordsmith Saneyuki (実行) and continued the work of the Bungo Takada school, renowned for producing swords for the samurai class. Among the documented signatures is Hōshū-jū Fujiwara Masayuki (豊州住藤原正行), which can be translated as ‘Fujiwara Masayuki, resident in the province of Bungo’. Market comparisons: Bonhams, London, ‘Fine Japanese Art including two masterpieces by Kitaoji Rosanjin’, 7 November 2013, lot 164: Shintō wakizashi signed Fujiwara Masayuki, late 17th century, blade length 35.5 cm, estimate £5,000–6,000.