Okan

Awataguchi Tadatsuna(2nd) Katana (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon) A refined katana attributed to the second-generation Awataguchi Ōmi no Kami Tadatsuna, one of the prominent Osaka masters of the Edo period. Details: • Period: Mid Edo (1688-1704) • Province: Settsu • Certification: NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token • Mounting: Koshirae + Shirasaya Dimensions: • Blade length: 71.2 cm (2 shaku 3 sun 5 bu) • Curvature: 2.0 cm • Mekugi-ana: 1 • Motohaba / Kasane: 32.3 mm / 7.4 mm • Sakihaba / Kasane: 22.2 mm / 5.2 mm The blade reflects the refined character of Osaka workmanship, with elegant proportions and a composed, well-balanced sugata that sits naturally in hand. The koshirae is thoughtfully assembled, centered around a rare polished same (ray skin) saya, paired with shakudō nanako fuchi-kashira and aoi menuki. Akasaka-style sukashi tsuba completes the mounting, bringing a sense of quiet strength and cohesion. Altogether, the mounting presents with understated sophistication, enhancing the blade without overpowering it. $16,000 https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/15YCFRog4WH2x76ZN4iy-uxWKdhSQujKk?usp=sharing

A fine Ko-Gassan wakizashi with NBTHK Hozon paper Nagasa: 48.9 cm Sori: 1.1 cm Motohaba: 2.9 cm Kasane: 0.5 cm Date of registration: Showa 33 (1958) Ishikawa pref. The Gassan school of Dewa Province is one of the most respected traditions in Japanese swordmaking, with a lineage extending from the Koto period into modern times. Authentic Koto-period Gassan Wakizashi are rarely encountered on the market. Based on its workmanship, excellent Ayasugi hada and overall characteristics, including its ō-kissaki (approx. 6 cm), the blade shows traits associated with the Nanbokuchō to early Muromachi period; however, precise dating remains difficult due to the consistency of Gassan style throughout the Koto era. Price: $5,600 USD A solid, papered, and increasingly hard-to-find Ko-Gassan piece.

Great work as always. Congrats!

It is a "Tada-mei" by the first generation Tadayoshi, and is estimated to be a work from around the 15th or 16th year of the Keicho era [1610–1611]. It is a utsushi of an old work by Rai Kunitoshi and is excellently made. Hizen no Kuni Tadayoshi. Blade length: 8 sun, 5 bu. Year of the Wood-Snake, March, by Tanzan.

While cleaning some blades, I thought I’d take a few quick photos and share this one, as I'm very fond of it. It’s a Rai Kunitoshi utsushi by Shodai Tadayoshi.. extremely fine ji-nie (konuka)..and in some places, clear hada reminiscent of Rai, with pure white nie along the ha..enjoy!

Thank you all for your comments!

Hello all, I recently acquired a Gassan wakizashi (Hozon - Gassan) and would like to learn more about it. I would greatly appreciate your insight into identifying the period and any additional details you may notice. Thank you, and my apologies in advance for the photos.

It's not signed, Viktor. Here you go:

I have a feeling it will eventually end up with one of the collectors in the USA — it’s just making a brief stopover here for now

Looking forward to seeing it!

Hi guys, Here is something interesting to show you. A set of f/k awarded to Kamiya Dōichi, by Lord Chimura Nakashige(千村仲展) in 1868. Who was Kamiya Dōichi: Kamiya Dōichi(神谷道一) Known by the courtesy name Shikan and the art name Kansai. He was a Karō (Chief Retainer) of the Chimura family(Hatamoto), Kukuri Domain of Nōshū [Mino Province], during the Restoration. During the Hokueutsu War (part of the Boshin War), he was dispatched as the Commander of the Second Unit. After the Restoration, he became a Negi (senior priest) at the Minami-gu National Shrine. Subsequently, he entered service in Gifu Prefecture, where he was tasked with the editing of historical records. In 1879, he became the first District Governor of Kani, and later served as the District Governor for Ena, Ono, Mashita, and Yoshiki. He resigned from office in 1885 and authored works such as the "Sekigahara Senki" (Chronicle of the Battle of Sekigahara). Translations made by Gemini so I'm expecting some errors, but you'll get the idea. Award for the Echigo Military Campaign. Plum Blossom Fuchi-Kashira. One Set. Meiji 1, Year of the Earth Dragon [1868], November 15th. From the village of Kukuri in Tōnō [Eastern Mino Province]. Humbly received from Lord Chimura Nakashige. [Signed] Kamiya Dōichi. At the time of the Meiji Restoration, the Kukuri Domain of Nōshū [Mino Province] joined the Imperial Army and dispatched troops to Echigo. My ancestor, Kamiya Dōichi, served as a military inspector and fought bravely. Upon his victorious return, the Lord of the Domain, Chimura Nakashige, rewarded his distinguished service by granting him this. From there, it was passed down to my late father, Yoshimichi. The writing remaining on the lid of this case was brushed by the old master Kansai Dōichi. Having escaped the war damages of the 20th year of Showa (1945), it still exists today. It should be deeply revered. Recorded by his grandson, Yasuhiko. Enjoy!

I’m sorry, @Curran. It went higher than I expected as well. I’ll check the books—thank you! @ROKUJURO Dear Jean, I bought these before the war started, and somehow the second one magically appeared at my door along with other stuff, being stuck in the Philippines for quite a while. So I’m not on the hunt; but research And yes, might be Hotei's sack. @Spartancrest Thank you! It’s definitely someone’s sack.

Hi all, I’d like to share two more tsuba, one of which recently came into my hands: a Norisuke and a Chōshū Sadaie piece. As always, any thoughts or observations are very welcome.

@Volker62 2 more blades with the same nickname. Bizen Osafune Katsumitsu Asa-arashi Owned by Matsushita Masatoshi Auspicious day in the 8th month, Eishō 1 (1504) Asa-arashi Ōwaki-ke futatsu-dō kiri-otoshi (cutting through two torsos at the underarm) Owned by Maejima Hachirō Signed Tomotsugu (kaō)

Hi, Much appreciated if you could give me a hand with this. Thank you

Hi all, I would like to share three tsuba that recently joined my collection: an Umetada tsuba with karakusa design (perhaps Momoyama?), a Kaga piece, and a Momoyama Heianjo. Each has a different taste and gives a slightly different feeling. Any thoughts or observations are very welcome.

Just a personal impression. I’ll leave it at that

I visited two days ago and was surprised to see that some blades and fittings which would barely have qualified for Tokuho 5-6 years ago were able to pass Juyo. Of course, there were some great pieces as well.

@wakiboy yup!

I like them both — each set has its own character. And yes, according to the origami, it’s a joint work made at the same time. Sokujo and Teijo were cousins. Sokujo lived a very short life and passed away at the age of 31. His son Renjo was four at the time, so although he was the intended successor, uncle Teijo stepped in to take over the mainline, raising and training Renjo until he came of age. Renjo, assumed the position at 25, becoming the 11th-generation head.

No, I'm sending my collector half instead

I’ll be there as well.

Hi Mike, Previous set is NBTHK 67th Juyo..this one is Tokubetsu Hozon with Origami by the 12th gen Goto Mitsumasa.

Well, as you know, they all copied the work of their predecessors, so most of the pieces show similarities with both earlier and later generations. But of course, some are inferior in quality, while others just speak to you. Ones at Eirakudo are very nice as well. @Dereks Menuki and all other mon(shishis) are solid gold.

Hi all, Since I had some time for photos today, I thought I’d share this one as well. A mitokoromono by Sokujo, the 8th-generation mainline Goto. According to the origami, the nanako ground was made by Teijo, the 9th generation. Enjoy!