Unsigned Antique Japanese Wakizashi-Length Sword with Elaborate Fittings and Historical Attribution Included with the sword is a photocopied valuation certificate from Kiernan Galleries of Mosman Park, Washington, which attributes the unsigned blade as the output of the Ujifusa family, a noted line of Japanese bladesmiths, circa 1740. The sword measures 22 inches overall, with a 15 1/4 inch blade set into a two piece serrated gilt habaki, showing notably strong grain and a very sharp "horse tooth" hamon pattern. The tang is unsigned, with a single mekugi-ana and a well-aged color, and the grip shows a fine midnight blue wrap over a pair of silver dragon menuki. Several of the fittings are quite impressive in their own right. The round iron tsuba has been deeply sculpted, with a cut-through "Chinese gate" pattern around the border, and a pair of gold accented dragons intertwined with fine scrolls, as well as a light "ocean" pattern engraving on the flat space covered by the spacers. Fine unaged shakudo and copper is the chief material of the fuchi, which has been sculpted with a fine gilt accented scene of a castle in the mountains, and the kashira, koiguchi, and kurigata are constructed from smooth dark horn. The tsuba shows an elaborate banded lacquer finish, alternating mustard yellow and deep brown/amber bands down the length, and includes a small kogatana knife, 8 1/4 inches overall with a 4 1/2 inch signed (untranslated) blade and a fine shakudo handle with a sculpted and gold accented scene of a tiger and a dragon about to fight it out in a bamboo forest. A fine blue/gold damask cloth case is also included. Manufacturer: None Model: None BBL: Stock: Gauge: Finish: Grips: Serial Number: Class: Other Condition: Extremely fine overall. The fine polished blade shows some light spotting and handling marks, and the habaki shows some denting at the rear corners. A small hairline crack is barely visible in the saya near the kogatana pocket, along with a few light scratches and some minor scuffs in the lacquer concentrated towards the tip. Overall an exceptionally fine, high grade Japanese Wakizashi sword, displaying a high level of artistry in the fittings.

  • Condition: See Description

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by Rock Island Auction Company
April 14, 2018 9:00 AM CDT
7819 42nd Street West
Rock Island, IL, US 61201

Rock Island Auction Company

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000