Wakizashi Samurai Short Sword Tsunahiro School Circa 1550-1650 by Tsunaie

About

Superb and precious Samurai Wakizashi Sword with superior mountings and Shirasaya. With crests of the Hikone-Tachibana (Ii-clan) on the sword Habaki (sword collar) (The Ii became powerful under Tokugawa Ieyasu thanks to Ii Naomasa, one of Ieyasu's four most famous generals.) and Toyotomi clan on the swivel mount (Kuigata), Decent older polish with gunome midare with hitatsure (irregular hilly style full tempering) surface grain "itame hada" (Itame hada is produced by folding the billet in either the same or alternate directions during forging and using the face of the billet to make the face of the blade). A 1550-1650 era Sword from a family of Swordsmiths in the Soshu province of Japan, signed on tang "Soshu-jus Tsunaie Saku" circa 1550-1650+-, the Blade is 20.5" to the notch at the tang and is 26.75" overall, the sword in the scabbard measures 30" total. The Handle on the sword ((Tsuka) is is Imperial Court style Silk cord wrapped over Ray skin, The Saya is fitted with a small dagger Kogatan with a gold gilded handle a Kozuka which is signed "Toshitugu" (Kozuka (??): The kozuka is a decorative handle fitting for the kogatana; a small utility knife fit into a pocket on the saya.) The fine Tsuba which is decorated with Octopus, Blue Fine Tuna on one side and a puffer fish on the other and is also signed "Yasunaga" who worked in Shonai, Japan in the Dewa province circa 1700-1725, he studied at the Studio of Yoshinaga among others. This excellent sword is fitted with a fine wood and lacquer finish Shirasaya (Scabbard), the Saya has Copper hand-worked with silver overlay fittings of Fish and flowering tree at the tip (Kojiri) and the sword opening collar (Koiguchi) has a Swordfish etched and blued. The Scabbard is fitted with an old iron and copper Kurigata (??) swivel fitting to attach the cord to hold the sword to the belt of the Samurai, the Kurigata has an old family crest (Kamon) of two Holly Hock Leaves and 3 flowers above signifying of the "Toyotomi Clan". The Habaki or a wedge-shaped metal collar used to keep the sword from falling out of the saya has the Tea Blossom family crest of the Ii clan: The Ii were originally from Tôtômi Province and claimed descent from the son of the sixth descendent of Fujiwara Fuyutsugu (775-826), Fujiwara Tomoyasu, who lived in the Ii Valley (Iinoya, ???). They supported the Southern Court during the Nambokucho Period and subsequently lost much of their holdings and authority to the Imagawa clan. During the early Sengoku period, they fought with the Imagawa in cooperation with Shiba Yoshisato but later became Imagawa vassals. After the Imagawa defeats by the Oda, however, they helped destroy the Imagawa and attempted to reclaim their prominence. The Ii became powerful under Tokugawa Ieyasu thanks to Ii Naomasa, one of Ieyasu's four most famous generals. The Ii remained politically important throughout the Edo Period, being named lords of Hikone han in 1601, and retaining control of that domain throughout the period. Members of the clan also held prominent positions in the shogunate government, often serving as rôjû, culminating with Tairô Ii Naosuke and his Ansei Purge and assassination in 1860 in front of the Sakuradamon gate of Edo castle. The Ii also enjoyed the unique privilege of conducting the "capping" portion of each shogun's genpuku ceremony, fitting the shogun with a formal eboshi court cap as part of his coming-of-age.

Details

Creator
Japanese Studio (Maker)
Place of Origin
Japan
Date of Manufacture
circa 1550

Period
16th Century
Materials and Techniques
Hand-WovenWrought Iron
Condition
Good
See Condition Descriptions

Condition Details
Very fine condition with normal aging. Old polish still looks good.
Wear
Wear consistent with age and use. Minor fading.
Dimensions
H 4 in. x W 30 in. x D 4 in.H 10.16 cm x W 76.2 cm x D 10.16 cm

Seller Location
Soquel, CA
Seller Reference Number
RJA5941
Reference Number
LU1215216272981

Buyer Protection Guaranteed

Our Promise To You: If you're not happy with the way an item arrived, we'll work with you and the seller to reach an optimal resolution. Read more

Shipping, Returns & Payment

Shipping
Rates vary by destination and complexity
Request a quote
Some items may require special handling and packaging. Request a shipping quote to see what options are available to your destination.
Return Policy
This item can be returned within 14 days of delivery.
View details