The Samurai: Japanese Arms and Armour
The Samurai: Japanese Arms and Armour
A magnificent daisho koshirae | The daisho fuchi signed Kimura Kyuichiro shitaji, Yokoya Nobusada horu (the foundation work by Kimura Kyuichiro, engraved by Yokoya Nobusada); the kozuka and kogai of the sho signed Goto Mitsunobu and with kao | Edo period, 18th century
Lot Closed
November 2, 02:54 PM GMT
Estimate
150,000 - 180,000 GBP
Lot Details
Description
A magnificent daisho koshirae
The daisho fuchi signed Kimura Kyuichiro shitaji, Yokoya Nobusada horu (the foundation
work by Kimura Kyuichiro, engraved by Yokoya Nobusada); the kozuka and kogai of the sho signed Goto Mitsunobu and with kao
Edo period, 18th century
the fine daisho koshirae decorated overall with gold ita-zutsumi on a rich ishime ground, the handachi-style fittings elaborately chiseled, chased and engraved with maru ni chigaitakanoha mon [crossed falcon feathers within circle crests] among young flowing pines on a fine nanako ground, the koiguchi in gold ikakeji, the kashira with two hands held in unison in gold, carved in high relief, the daisho fuchi signed Kimura Kyuichiro shitaji, Yokoya Nobusada horu (the foundation work by Kimura Kyuichiro, engraved by Yokoya Nobusada), the kozuka and kogai of the sho signed Goto Mitsunobu and with kao the aoi-gatatsuba carved in taka-bori [relief] and similarly decorated in shakudo, pierced with boar's eye openings (inome-bori), the gold fukurin intricately chased, 96.6 cm., 38 in.; 67.4 cm., 26½ in. long overall
Saya [scabbard]: 74 cm., 29⅛ in.; 52.2 cm., 20½ in.
Sori [curvature] : 5.1 cm., 2 in.; 3.5 cm., 1⅜ in. overall
Saya sori [curvature of the scabbard]: 3 cm., 1⅛ in.; 2.2 cm., ⅞ in.
Tsuka [handle]: 22.6 cm., 8⅞ in.; 15.2 cm., 6 in.
Tsuka sori [curvature of the handle]: 0.5 cm., ¼ in.; 0.3 cm., ⅛ in.
Accompanied by a certificate of registration as Tokubetsu Juyo Token [Especially Important Sword], no. 30201825 issued by the Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai [Society for the Preservation of the Japanese Art Sword], dated Heisei 30 (2018).
The practice of wearing a daisho, the combination of an uchigatana and wakizashi, is thought to have emerged at the end of the Muromachi period (1336-1573). The formalised accoutrement of the daisho-koshirae presumably came into existence during the Edo period, with daimyo attendance to castles required what was earlier called kamishimozashi or banzashi. The official code of the Bakugi sanko defines such formal daisho-koshirae as having polished black lacquer scabbard, with the end of the katana straight and the wakizashi round, the hilts would be wrapped hishimaki-style in black braid, the kashira in black-lacquered horn, and the fuchi of shakudo consisting of either a nanako or polished finish. The tsuba was proposedly Kenjo in polished shakudo and the mitokoromono of first-class Goto school fittings. The only overtly decorative elements would be the family crests. Apart from the above mentioned official use however, daisho-koshirae were not regulated by the bakufu and several interpretations emerged based on the banzashi regulations.
These mounts are of the handachi-koshirae style which combines tachi fittings and a tachi-tsuba with uchigatana fittings like a kurigata and origane. The fittings are en suite decorated with young pines and crossed hawk feathers in circular
crests, with the daisho-fuchi bearing the signature of Yokoya Nobusada. Nobusada was the nyudo-go (art name taken with entering priesthood) of Katsura Eiju who worked for the Arima family, the daimyo of the Kurume fief.