Wakizashi signed Settsu-ju Minamoto MUNEYOSHI with) Hemp-palm, gold swirl and blue pearl of inlay sheath silver metal uchigatana koshirae
O57389(W3208)
Shinto Early Edo period (Kanbun era/circa A.D.1661) Settsu
Length of cutting edge60.2cm Curve1.2cm Thickness of base6.3mm Width of base30.2mm Width of Yokote20.5mm
with) Hemp-palm, gold swirl and blue pearl of inlay sheath silver metal uchigatana koshirae
Sugata(configuration) : Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune. Kasane thickness on base is average, wide in Mihaba on base standing firmly and there is less volume in hiraniku leading to a middle tip. (click HERE for super sized image)
Kitae(forging pattern) : Kitae-hada is fine itame hada generally mixing in with flowing conspicuous itame marks around lower base. The surface is covered in with uniform/sparkling Ji-Nie activity that generates thick Nie lines of Chikei scene over the surface.
Hamon(tempering pattern) : Hamon is strong Ko-Nie based starting with short straight temper line so called Osaka-Yakidashi and then wide in temper, gunome zigzag and small clove outline of which height varies and upper the blade temper almost touches to the shinogi-ridge, condensed Nie creates ASHI feet and deep Nioi mist works in the interior. There works with some Muneyaki temper marks on back ridge. The entire temper gives off vivid and strong light.
Boshi (tip): The temper of the tip waves into KOMARU straight circle with hakikake brushing up indication then turns back deeply.
Nakago(tang) : UBU un-altered, slanted left (o-sujikai) filemarks and Ha-agari V-shape heel. The signature in hakiomote is located shinogiji side, long character that reads Settsu-ju (location), Minamoto(clan) and smith name MUNEYOSHI.
The subject katana is a particular work of the smith MUNEYOSHI possibly with a special demand either from a merchant, an artisan or literary man who was not permitted to posses a long sword which is longer than two shaku in cutting edge but allowed only with wakizashi possession officially during Edo period. MUNEYOSHI was a pupil of MUNESHIGE who had belonged to SUKEHIRO (Echizen-no-kami title) school. It is widely known that Sukehiro and his schools created superb works and built up cheerful reputation with the beauty of Osaka-Shinto style - bright, uniform, condensed Nie and Nioi splendidly active with elegant style of temper. Indeed Sukehiro lineage and related workers had surely created a new style of swords which broke through an old traditional Japanese sword style, therefore it is no doubt that they had many orders in hands to cooperate, collaborate each other, that might be one reason why works of MUNEYOSHI are rarely come across in market. The subject long wakizashi by MUNEYOSHI, holds desirable shape that remains firmly standing wide base as well as beautifully-dressed temper outline.
Another highlight is an incidental koshirae furniture Hemp-palm, gold swirl and blue pearl of inlay sheath silver metal uchigatana koshirae which is indeed full of beauty and almost remains an original condition of which age is estimated around end of Edo period, consists of Stone surface finish silver fuchi, kashira kurikara and kojiri/ Iron kurikara dragon menuki/ Iron polish surface spool of thread tsuba. The blade is really smart, tasteful and the koshirae holds gracefully elegance.
Copper double habaki, Shirasaya plain wood mounting.
Weight: 6000.00 gms
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