Wakizashi in Koshirae 44.8 cm / Awataguchi School of Swordsmiths

For the serious sword enthusiast and collector look no further . This is the complete package. A magnificent O-wakizashi by “Awataguchi Omi no kami Mamoru Tadatsuna” from the Edo period mounted in full custom made black urushi koshirae and tsuka handle. This genuinely made Nihonto is for the serious collector or someone wishing to bring back a piece of Japanese history that embodies the spirit of the Samurai warrior. The kodogu parts are: Edo period fuchi kashira resembling a golden rock pattern and made by a famous craftsman of menuki and other kodogu parts, Edo period menuki handle ornaments made of shakudo depicting the warrior statues that stand guard outside the temples “training at night by lying down horizontal arm wrestling each other. .. opposing pair or left and right with gold zogan inlay accenting the eyes of these warriors". The iron tsuba sword guard is a rare "hot-stamped" tsuba that is also signed by its maker acquired from the Yasakuni Shrine temple grounds. The traditionally made high quality urushi saya and tsuka handle in black ito wrapping with white samae (ray skin) was commissioned and done by sword smith and artisan Mitsugu Nakahata from Inakadate, Japan, whose swordsmith name is “Kunihiro” and is 75 years old. This large, bold short sword is in excellent polish and condition ,and has horimono carvings of goma hashi ( two vertical lines depicting the pair or chopsticks used in religious ritual) and also bonji characters letters written in Sanskrit to imbibe the sword with prayers and the reverse side has a single large sized bo hi blood groove. It is well proportioned and balanced and a wonderful blade to handle. The elegant hamon tempering pattern is midare gunome of "undulating waves" and contains hataraki activity in the hamon known as "utsuri" , another hallmark of great craftsmenship. The Awataguchi smiths and family were known as excellent swordsmiths and date back all the way to the Kamakura period before moving to Soshu in Sagami province, the most famous of these smiths from this school being ‘Yoshimitsu”. Swords made in the “Yamashiro” tradition had characterstics of nashiji-hada surface steel and dense ko-mokume hada, mixed with chikei. This wakizashi has Masame hada. The Yubashiri appear and thick ji-nie are usually seen all over the ji. Usually the horimono carvings were different on either side, or were identical , and the bottom of the bo hi grooves usually stopped with a kaku-dome and the gomahashi are carved near the mune (backside of the blade). The copper habaki is of the double construction design. Two mekugi ana holes for mounting in the tang , and a sori curvature of 1.1 cm, and a total blade length of 44.8 cm. This kissaki and boshi area of the sword by the tip is large and made in the style of the Nanbukucho Era ( ~1300-1390 ) blades being "O-Kissaki",meaning large tip of the sword . This blade also has a custom made sleeping scabbard and handle known as the shirasaya made from the white magnolia wood known for its properties of not retaining moisture to aid in the sword's preservation accented with black buffalo horn. If you are new to collecting and appreciating Japanese blades. This blade is worthy of preservation , and has a valid sword registration from Koichi Prefecture registered in August 1940. I am willing to help you to complete the export paperwork that would be mailedl out by bonded and insured Japan EMS International Post for you if needed depending on if and when you might to plan to PCS. I have done this several times before to the US and would be happy to put you in touch with several customers that I have done this for with no problem or issues. If you are new to Nihonto, traditionally made Japanese blades, I am happy to explain the care and maintenance for this wakizashi short sword. I can also provide you a free "starter and maintenance kit". This sword can be delivered to Kadena, Foster, and Courtney Bases or other areas upon request. A great memory and piece of history to own as your "family blade" . Cheers, Hamaki

Posted in: Antiques - by owner. 10 people are following this item.

Find out how close you are to this item!

Address:

123 Awesome Street

City:

Bookooville

State:

Illinois

Postal:

60543

If needed, move the map to center the marker on your location.

Close