Late Koto Soshu Wakizashi

The Soshu tradition emerged from the masters of Bizen and Yamashiro makers to become one of the most innovative styles of it's time. The most famous of the Soshu makers was the imminent Masamune in the 14th Century. The Soshu tradition contined into the late Koto period and saw a decline in quality from it's former glory, but still admirable works in their own rites.

This Wakizashi was made in character of late Muromachi pieces, and signed "Soshu ju Masatsugu of which there were two generation working from about 1504 thru 1550. Niether are of sufficient rank that I would doubt the validity of the mei. This is a time when quality was sacrificed for the necessity of quantity in the vast wars that engulfed all of Japan.

It is a very wide blade in Shobu zukuri shape with thin kasane. It has unfortunately been blunted at the tip by approximately 8 or 9 millimeters. It does have a great deal of boshi left in the tip, so the hamon does not run off. There is a patch of loose forging appearing in the ura monouchi showing a bit of tiredness in the jigane, and a fukure in the ura ji above the habaki. It has a small area in the yakiba where light corrosion has pitted it and looks like it was cleaned with steel wool or sandpaper. All things considered, it is not a sword I would consider a candidate for restoration or shinsa. However, it does have some interesting features, including its shape, a decent luster to the jigane, consistent gunome midare hamon, and very nice boshi. It is ubu and unshortened (unless you consider the tip damage a shortening process), is signed, has a solid copper habaki and in old shirasaya. It is a work that should continue to be preserved for the future, even if preservation is a matter or keeping it in it's current condition. It has been reasonably priced according to all considerations as a starter or conversation piece. I'll even throw in a bag.

Nagasa: (15 1/8 inches)
Motohaba: 3.4 cm
Kasane: 6 mm at shinogiji

SOLD

More pictures: