A kodachi | Attributed to Enju Kuniyoshi and with kinzogan [gold inlay] inscription by Hon'ami Koson and kao | Kamakura - Nambokucho period, 14th century

Property from an Important Private American Collection

A kodachi

Attributed to Enju Kuniyoshi and with kinzogan [gold inlay] inscription by Hon'ami Koson and kao. In shirasaya [plain wood scabbard] 

Kamakura - Nambokucho period, 14^th century

Sugata [configuration]: shinogi-zukuri, ko-kissaki, shallow torii-zori

Kitae [forging pattern]: tight masame hada

Hamon [tempering pattern]: suguha

Boshi [tip]: slight kaeri

Nakago [tang]: suriage, one mekugi-ana, with katana-mei­ kinzogan inscription Enju Kuniyoshi, on the ura Koson (Hon'ami Koson, 1879-1955) and kao

Koshirae [mounts]: the black lacquer koshirae of later date, iron sukashi tsuba pierced in the form of plum blossoms

Nagasa [length from kissaki to machi]: 60.8 cm., 24 in.

Sori [curvature]: 1.5 cm., ⅝ in.

Saki-haba [width at the yokote]: 1.8 cm., ¾ in.

Moto-haba [width at the machi]: 2.7 cm., 1⅛ in. 

Accompanied by a certificate of registration as Tokubetsu Hozon Token [Sword Especially Worthy of Preservation], no. 1018159 issued by the Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai [Society for the Preservation of the Japanese Art Sword], dated Reiwa 4 (2022).