182 - An important ko-wakizashi signed by Master Seiryuken Moritoshi, with Buke-zukuri koshirae

An important ko-wakizashi signed by Master Seiryuken Moritoshi, with Buke-zukuri koshirae dating: Edo Period (1603-1867) provenance: Japan, Powerful and elegant blade with Hira-zukuri sugata, Iori-mune, featuring a Hi. Nagasa: 31.5 cm. Hada: Nashiji mixed with fine, well-forged Ko Itame. Hamon: Gunome Choji Midare in Nie Deki with Hitatsura in the Monouchi area, Ashi, Yo, and Hara Nie leading into a Boshi with a long Kaeri. Nakago: ubu, Iriyamagata Nakagojiri, Kiri Yasurime with one Mekugi-ana. The Horimono are Koshi Hi in Maru Dome. Silver-clad copper Habaki. Mounted in a double-lacquered Koshirae (small defects, signs of use and time) in black, with remaining traces of gold mottling, and speckled red, enriched with two gold Kamon repeated multiple times: one is Yatsu-Choji (eight-clove motif) and the other is Tsuta (ivy). The Saya houses a Kogatana with a signed blade and a copper-coloured metal Kozuka with designs showing remaining traces of gilding. Accompanied by a owner's document, including a brief description and some explanatory notes in Italian. Seiryuken Moritoshi (青龍軒盛俊, 1802–1867), whose personal name was Iwamoto Seizaemon, was an important swordsmith of the Shinshinto period, originally from Iwakuni, formerly in Suo Province. Active during the final decades of the Edo period, he worked in the service of the Kikkawa family, lords of Iwakuni. He trained under Chounsai Tsunatoshi, of whom he is considered a successor, and was associated with the artistic and technical circle of Koyama Munetsugu, one of the most highly regarded Shinshinto masters. The characteristics of his blades recall those of his master Tsunatoshi, particularly their robust construction, the variety of temper lines and their renowned cutting ability. Moritoshi was also a respected teacher. Among the swordsmiths associated with his teaching were Tsunatoshi Nidai (the son of Moritoshi's master) and Senryushi Morihide (a documented pupil). Cf. the Iwakuni Chokokan (Iwakuni Municipal History Museum), which preserves in its collection several blades by local swordsmiths, including Seiryuken Moritoshi. In 2022, the Museum organised a small thematic exhibition entitled "Genealogy of Iwakuni Swordsmiths and Their Swords", which included, among other works, a wakizashi signed by Seiryuken Moritoshi and dated 1866. In 2025, the Museum organised a more extensive exhibition entitled "Seiryuken Moritoshi – Exhibition of Iwakuni Swordsmiths", devoted to the works of Moritoshi and his school. Several examples made by the master between 1842 and 1866 were exhibited (nos. 16–19 of the exhibition). In particular, the Museum curators state: "Documents have been preserved concerning an assessment of swords made by Moritoshi, carried out by officials of the shogunate. According to these records, his blades possessed excellent cutting ability, and the quality of their workmanship was judged to be 'magnificent'." They also note: "...Furthermore, the licence granted to Moritoshi by his master Tsunatoshi records that he had mastered four different techniques for producing the temper line (hamon)." Sources: 岩国刀工の系譜と刀剣 (Iwakuni tōkō no keifu to tōken), 2022; 令和７年度 岩国徴古館 年報 (Reiwa 7-nendo Iwakuni Chōkokan nenpō), 2025; Kōhō Iwakuni (広報いわくに), no. 457, 2025. Cf. also a katana signed by the same master, dated 1861, sold by Christie's for USD 14,300 (Compton Collection sale, lot 371, auction 7420, 2007). The koshirae, of the classical form used by the Buke (the Samurai warrior class), also displays features of particular interest: it bears both the mon known as Yatsu-Choji, representing eight cloves, and the Tsuta-mon (ivy). A possible attribution is to the historical family that used both these mon, namely the Matsudaira of Katahara (lords of the Tamba-Kameyama domain).