Koto Wakizashi in Shirasaya with sayagaki attributing Kageyori

For the lover of Bizen works, have a look at this one. It is a very nice osuriage wakizashi from the Koto period. The shape hints to the Nambokucho period in which many excellent Bizen and Soden Bizen works were made. The hamon is nioideki gunome midare with konie, with nice ashi inserted. There is the occasional gunome with sloped shoulders that would hint at Kanemitsu school lineage. There is brilliant and obvious midare utsuri that reaches down to nearly touch the tops of the gunome in places. The utsuri exaggerates the jihada creating a vibrant jigane filled with bright layers of itame and mokume. It is mumei, osuriage, with a silver foiled habaki.

The shirasaya has sayagaki signed as having been inscribed by Hon’ami Shinzen and dated 1903. Hon’ami shinzen was the 8th generation of the Kozan line and died in July of 1915. (special thanks to Tom Helm for this bit of info). I have seen only one other example of Shinzen sayagaki and it was a stroke for stroke match on this one. It describes this sword as “Bizen Kuni Kageyori”, its length, that it is suriage, mumei, etc.. It also lists a value of 150 gold pieces, which should be regarded as….ambitious. After Meiji, valuations were not of much serious merit. Kageyori was a highly rated smith among Osafune lineages. Whether this sword might be one of his works is a matter of shinsa opinion, but the work is quite nice regardless.

This sword would most definitely take a polish, but can be fully enjoyed and studied as is. All too often the phrase “study piece” is used to dress up an otherwise lackluster entry–level sword, but this one truly does have a great deal to offer as such. It is a good candidate for submission to shinsa and the polish illustrates the feature well enough to submit it as is. Submission, if desired, can be discussed and arranged upon sale and will entail associated fees.

Nagasa: 46.6 cm (18 3/8 inches)
Motohaba: 2.8 cm
Sakihaba: 2.0 cm
Kasane: 5.5 mm

On Consignment: $3,500.00

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