1 of 13

Hizen Katana Signed “Hizen kuni Saga Ju Masahiro”, circa 1640 NBTH Juyō Tōken

$90,139.22List Price

About the Item

Hizen Katana Signed “Hizen kuni Saga Ju Masahiro” ???????? Edo period, circa 1640 NBTHK Juyo Token MISURES Nagasa [lenght]: 70.2 cm? Motohaba: 2.8 cm, sakihaba: 2 cm Kasane [thickness]: 5.8 mm ?Sori [curvature]: 1.82 cm Sugata [configuration] Shinogi-zukuri, koshi-zori, iori-mune, elongated chu-kissaki (3.6 cm) Kitae [forging pattern]: Ko-itame hada with thick jinie and chikei ?Hamon [tempering pattern]: Nie-deki gunome and o-gunome midare mixed to choji midare, the thick nioiguchi shows sunagashi, kinsuji, yo and ashi. Boshi [point] Round at the end with hakikake kaeri Horimono [carvings] Bo-hi ni soe-bi. Large koshi-bi on ura side. ?Nakago [tang]: Ubu, iriyamagata-jiri, o-sujikai yasurime; one mekugi-ana, mei: “Hizen Koku Saga Ju Fujiwara Masahiro” Origami [papers] The blade comes with a Juyo token (Important sword) certificate issued by the Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai (Session nr. 25) Sayagaki: written by Kanzan sensei: Hizen Saga Ju Fujiwara Masahiro This blade was made early and it is assigned to the first generation, around Kanei 16 or 17 Gunome Midare and Choji Midare Blade length is 2 shaku 3 sun 2 bu. Kanzan Sato [+ kao] Koshirae [mount] The sword is accompanied by an antique koshirae with high level fittings. The Hizen school was one of the glorious successes of the Shinto period. It was founded by Tadayoshi, under the sponsorship of the daimyo Nabeshima Naoshige. The Tadayoshi style is based on the work of Yamashiro Rai, and swiftly gained and maintained a reputation for high quality swords, both beautiful and practical with excellent cutting ability. Born in 1607, Hashimoto Sadenji, was grandson of Tadayoshi. He is recorded to sign his early works with the art name “Masanaga”, but there are none existing and he was probably signing more often with his master’s name Tadayoshi (who had changed his name to Tadahiro) according to the dai-mei tradition. Masahiro is considered the best smith among all waki-Hizen schools, those who were not in the direct lineage of Tadayoshi. In 1624 he made a sword in front of the feudal lord Nabeshima Katsushige (Hizen) who granted the smith name “Masahiro”, the possibility to sign with his own name and to start his own lineage, with a stipend of 20 koku which could support 20 people. In 1628 Masahiro is documented to be entitled to use the title “Kawachi Daijo” but it seems that for some reasons he chose not to use it in his signature until 1641. It is important to note that the daimyo Nabeshima engaged Masahiro directly, due to his superior ability. Even if the main style of the Hashimoto family was based on suguha hamon, Masahiro shodai worked mainly in midare, as seen on this blade. The reason might be that the daimyo Nabeshima, who commissioned the work, was very fond of Soshu Go’s style, who used a midareba with strong nie. His style might look similar to Tadahiro shodai, but Masahiro is more flamboyant, with strong nie which form sunagashi and kinsuji, especially on early blades like the present one. Another feature of early works is the hakikake boshi and in fact Kanzan sensei dated this katana at 1639-1640. Masahiro was one of the best sword-smiths of the Shinto period and he is rated “Jo Saku” by Fujishiro. He died in 1665 at the age of 59 and his name had been used by his descendants for ten generations until the end of the Edo period. This katana gives a very strong impression, with a wide blade and a flamboyant hamon rich of activities. It clearly shows the best characteristics of Masahiro and is an important work. Being appointed as “Juyo Token” already in 1977 is a clear sign of how soon it has been recognized as a masterpiece.

Dimensions:
Height: 27.64 in (70.2 cm)Width: 0.23 in (5.8 mm)Depth: 1.11 in (2.8 cm)
Materials and Techniques:
Iron
Place of Origin:
Japan
Period:
1640-1649
Date of Manufacture:
1640
Condition:
Seller Location:
Milano, IT
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU4250220442342

20th Century Tibetan Qing Metalwork

Materials

Silver

Tibetan Silver Snuff Bottle, circa 1900

$180

H 2 in W 1.25 in D 0.75 in

Tibetan Silver Snuff Bottle, circa 1900

Located in Chicago, IL

This early 20th century Tibetan snuff bottle is delightfully ornate, crafted with silver metalwork and encrusted with colorful beads. The small bo...

Category

20th Century Tibetan Tibetan Tobacco Accessories

Materials

Silver

Tibetan Silver Snuff Bottle, circa 1900

$180

H 2 in W 1 in D 0.75 in

Antique circa 1920 Chinese Export Floor Standing Bell with Wrought Iron Stand

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

We are delighted to offer for sale this exquisite circa 1920 Chinese Export floor standing bell on wrought iron stand A very well made and decorative...

Category

Vintage 1920s Chinese Chinese Export Metalwork

Materials

Brass, Wrought Iron

Antique circa 1920 Chinese Export Floor Standing Bell with Wrought Iron Stand

$2,377

H 54.53 in W 17.72 in D 17.72 in

Vintage Triangular Hanukkah Menorah

Located in San Diego, CA

Beautiful vintage Hannukah Menorah. This vintage piece is a replica of a menorah from the 14th century southern Europe. Made in Israel, this piece is ...

Category

Vintage 1970s Israeli Baroque Metalwork

Materials

Brass

Vintage Triangular Hanukkah Menorah

$108 Sale Price

20% Off

H 5.6 in W 7 in D 2 in

Chinese Coral & Malachite Inlaid Brass Snuff Bottle, c. 1850

Located in Chicago, IL

A mixture of finely powdered tobacco, herbs, and spices, snuff was introduced to China in the 17th century by Western diplomats. Initially reserved for ranking members of Qing-dynast...

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Tobacco Accessories

Materials

Coral, Malachite, Brass

Chinese Coral & Malachite Inlaid Brass Snuff Bottle, c. 1850

$280

H 3.25 in W 2 in D 1.25 in

Yao Tribe Silver Torc

Located in Chicago, IL

This finely crafted piece was made high in the mountains above Thailand, Laos and Burma (modern day Myanmar) by an indigenous hill tribe. The Yao people are skilled silversmiths who ...

Category

20th Century Laotian Tribal Metalwork

Materials

Silver

Yao Tribe Silver Torc

$2,100

H 13.38 in W 12.38 in D 2.5 in

H’mong Tribe Silver Spirit Lock Necklace

Located in Chicago, IL

This finely crafted piece was made high in the mountains of Southeast China, Laos, Thailand and Burma (modern day Myanmar) by an indigenous hill tribe. The Hmong people are known for...

Category

20th Century Laotian Tribal Metalwork

Materials

Silver

H’mong Tribe Silver Spirit Lock Necklace

$11,250

H 21 in W 22.38 in D 2.5 in

Khitan Liao Dynasty Gold Clad Horse Trappings, 10th-11th Century, China

Located in Austin, TX

A wonderful and rare set of Khitan Liao gold clad copper alloy repousse horse trappings, featuring thirteen pieces on a modern museum display mount, Liao Dynasty...

Category

Antique 15th Century and Earlier Chinese Tang Metalwork

Materials

Copper, Gold

Khitan Liao Dynasty Gold Clad Horse Trappings, 10th-11th Century, China

$27,000

H 10.25 in W 9 in D 4.5 in

Vintage graduated Amethyst Necklace

Located in London, GB

Vintage graduated Amethyst Necklace A Very fine Vintage Amethyst Necklace made from graduated beads interspersed with small gold plated meta...

Category

Late 20th Century Indian Metalwork

Materials

Amethyst

Vintage graduated Amethyst Necklace

$305

H 13.78 in W 1.19 in D 0.4 in

1900s Chinese Export Silver Cigarette Box

Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne

A fine and impressive antique solid Chinese Export Silver cigarette box; an addition to our diverse silver box collection This fine antique Chinese Export Silver (CES) cigarette box has a plain rectangular form with rounded corners. The surface of the body of the box is plain with an applied molded border to the rim. The subtly domed hinged cover of the box is ornamented with the contemporary engraved monograph initials ‘CBK’ in addition to a moulded border to the rim. The hallmarks struck to the underside of this impressive box include: Maker's mark: WH (Wang Hing & Company) Silver quality/purity mark: 90 (900/1000) Character mark: Untraced. Note: The majority of such boxes have a wood lining to the interior to provide strength, due to a poor gauge of silver; a sign of quality when examples are unlined and of solid silver. Condition This antique cigarette box...

Category