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Yamato Tachi

The Yamato Den is regarded as the earliest of the five Koto Traditions. Within it, there are five main schools of sword manufacture, all centered among temples where weapons were manufactured for warrior monks. The span of their works originates from the 9 th century thru their general decline in the 15 th century, with the zenith of quality centering approximately the late 13 th to the mid 14 th centuries.

This particular work is mumei and osuriage (greatly shortened), but it still retains an attractive curvature and respectable length of 70.8 cm (27.87 inches), with an extended chukissaki. The nakago is nicely shaped with kiriyasuri and kiri jiri, exemplary of a shorting was attentively done and nicely finished.

The jihada is mokume with some courseness and gives the impression of being hard. Masame appears in the yakiba, in the boshi, and also in the shinogiji. Usually in koto periods, we assign masame in the shinogiji to Mino tradition works, but as a point of the construction of Yamato blades it can appear in blade over the course centuries of polishing which can revealing the underlying structure. There are areas of shirake (whitish jigane) and this in conjunction with the masame in the shinogiji, and other features could also point to the Akasaka (or Mino) Senjuin group, which is thought to have migrated from Yamato to Akasaka about the mid to late 14 th century.

The hamon is a mixture of ko-midareba, and sugu in nioideki with kuichigai and short ashi inserted. It has a good brightness for the period of work over many swords from this period which can exhibit a dull white habuchi with less illumination. The boshi is komaru with yakikuzure and a short kaeri. There are some nice swirling interactions in the boshi.

The polish is older, but still clear promoting visibility to the features the sword has to offer. The foundation has been done quite well providing a good shape to the blade. This sword has no major flaws and has been inspected thoroughly for fukure, hagire, etc.. The very edge of the kissaki near the tip has been slightly blunted, but this is not terribly noticeable, and is quite repairable. The edge at the hamachi has a small blunt as well, but not critically affected.

This sword has no papers, but submission to NBTHK shinsa can be arranged if desired, the cost and terms of which must be determined in advance of purchase arrangements.

Offered on Consignment: Reduced! $4000.00 USD