Sword - Japan - Early Edo period

This exceptionally unique katana features a blade with only the Tokugawa-associated three-leaf hollyhock crest carved into the nakago, mounted with a majestic handachi koshirae. Attribution provided for reference only, subject to authentication.

The blade's preservation is in an old-honed state but has been fully sharpened, presenting a nearly flawless, sound condition. The jigane features a well-defined itame grain with some mokume mixed in, and chikei is also visible. The hamon is a bright, tight nioi-kuchi with choji mixed in, displaying completely different expressions on the sashi-omote and sashi-ura. Sunagashi and kinsuji are also present.

The nakago is carved with the Tokugawa family's three-leaf hollyhock crest. The swordsmith permitted to engrave the three-leaf hollyhock crest was Echizen Yasutsugu, active in the early Edo period. Therefore, this unmarked blade is presumed to be Yasutsugu's work.

The first Echizen Yasutsugu (1554-1621) was a swordsmith employed by the Tokugawa shogunate in the early Edo period, originally from Shimosaka in Omi Province. He served Yuki Hideyasu, whose patronage led to his exceptional skills being highly valued. He was granted the character “Yasu” and the hollyhock crest by Tokugawa Ieyasu, and flourished in Edo. He is a representative swordsmith of the Shinto period during the Keicho era, renowned as a master craftsman skilled in works using Nanbantetsu iron and in reproducing famous swords.

The koshirae features an imposing Handachi mounting. It is a complete half tachi specification, equipped with a Kabuto-gane(tsuka-gashira) and fuchi for the tachi, Sekigane reinforced fittings on the scabbard, and an Ishizuki at the scabbard's base. The coarse-grained Ishime lacquer finish perfectly suits the image of a rugged warrior. The tsukamaki (handle wrap) shows signs of fraying due to age. For an additional fee (¥10,000), it can be rewound. Please specify this request when ordering.

This set, featuring both a storage shirasaya and a striking Handachi-style koshirae, along with a rare blade engraved solely with the Tokugawa family crest, holds exceptional value.

Don't miss this opportunity.

- Blade length: 61.7 cm
- Curvature: 1.5 cm
- Number of Mekugi hole: 1
- Sakihaba: 22.6 mm
- Sakikasane: 4.4 mm
- Motohaba: 31.6 mm
- Motokasane: 6.2 mm
- Signature: Three-Leafed Hollyhock Crest(front)
- Era: Shinto
- Structure: Shinogi-zukuri, Iori-mune
- Jigane: Itame with Mokume mixed in
- Hamon: Gunome
- Boshi: Midarekonde Nakamaru ni Kaeru
- Weight: 630 g(blade only)/950 g(without Saya)
- Nakago: Ubu
- Koshirae: Black silk wrapped Tsuka with Kuro-ishime lacquered Saya(Hanchiachi Koshirae)/Shirasaya
- Original Registration No.: Tokyo 118478
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This item will be shipped to you directly from Japan after the transaction is finalized. We will apply for an export permit from Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs and ship it once approval is granted. Please understand that this process takes approximately one month.

Swords will be shipped by air freight (UPS or EMS) in most cases but, should air shipment to the winning bidder's country not be possible, it will be sent by sea. In Belgium, private sales of Japanese swords are prohibited by law, so bids from Belgium are not permitted.