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Exceptional Japanese Mid-19th Century Katana by Masazane with NBTHK Certificate

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:25,000.00 USD Estimated At:NA
Exceptional Japanese Mid-19th Century Katana by Masazane with NBTHK Certificate
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[?]Live Online Auction Starts In 2024 Nov 23 @ 09:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
This is just a wonderful katana, dated 1857 and signed by Ikkansai Masazane, and masterfully restored by Kenji Mishina. Mr. Mishina hardly needs any introduction as one of the highest regarded sword polishers and restorers in Japan, authorized to work on Japanese National Treasures and providing his services to the Imperial Household. This stunning sword features shinshinto blade with a rare and unusually long o-kissaki, and measurements as follows: nagasa of 28.25'', sori of 0.9'', kissaki of 5.2'', nakago of 8.8'' and moto-haba of 1.2''. The nakago retains strong markings translating as ''At Azabu residence in Edo / Made by Ikkansai Masazane of Morioka'' and dated ''The 12th month of 1857''. The koshirae is of modern make and of the highest quality with components all made by mukansa level craftsmen, Yasuo Toyama and Hiroshi Miyajima. The blade of course remains in superb condition bearing an exceptional mirror polish and a very fine hamon that slowly undulates down its length, the blade also with subtle attractive hada structure. The polish of the long o-kissaki provides a lovely contrast with the balance of the blade while also imparting a more unique look compared to a more traditional kissaki. The exceptional habaki is of gold with lovely floral kiri-mon motif crafted by Master Hiroshi Miyajima, mukansa level artisan who has also done restoration work for the Imperial Household. Gold content of the habaki is reportedly estimated at around 3.4 ounces. The blade is currently mounted in its nurizaya shirasaya which bears much of its paper wrapping and shows a few light handling marks. The koshirae is by master Yasuo Toyama, regarded as one of the best contemporary craftsmen in Japan. The metal fittings are crafted from the finest quality shakudo and the beautiful saya shows a wonderful black lacquer rating as-new and complete with a beautiful dragon kozuka (fitted with a temporary nurizaya wooden blade). The seppa are fine gold shakudo and the tsuba is masterfully crafted with shakudo foil edges and traditional dragons amidst a blackened cloud background, the fuchi similarly adorned. The tsuka is wrapped in traditional antique-sourced top grade samegawa stingray skin and the maki of dark brownish-maroon silk. The two menuki are lovely dragons and the kashira also bears a beautiful dragon of silver and gold. A photocopy of Mr. Toyama's certificate is included and lists the following: black-lacquered saya uchi-gatana style mounting, tsuba: shakudo in Nanako-ji finish with the design of dragon, kozuka: shakudo in Nanako-ji finish with the design of dragon, fuchi-kashira: shakudo with the design of dragon and menuki: shakudo with the design of dragon. A gold tassel is affixed to the scabbard and the sword also includes a pair of lovely embroidered silk covers for both the blade in its shirasaya and the koshirae. The sword includes its NBTHK hozon distinction certificate, issued after adjudication in 2014, a note from Mr. Mishina with his description of the blade and the original shipping materials when the sword was sent back from Japan. This is a stunning katana that would make an excellent addition to any advanced Japanese sword collection. (13H11712-10) (35,000/50,000)