KABUTOWARI thoughts...

[Kantaro]

A friend of mine spotted this Kabutowari last month in Sweden.

I would like your opignion on this piece.

He did not buy it. 

It was sold for 321 euro.

 

4439153. KABUTOWARI (hachiwari), Japan, “Helmet -/skullbreaker”, Edo period, 17th/19th century.

Description

Signed.
Kusunoki Masashige's name is written on the blade.
Koshirae (sheath) in wood with black/red lacquer work.
Length of blade 30cm. Total length 54cm.

Condition

Good condition of blade, has a small crack on the “breaking part”. Mekugi (sprint) is missing.
Extensive lacquer wear on koshirae.

 

What do you think?

 

Kind regards.

 

 

[Kantaro]

[Kantaro]

[Kantaro]

More detailed pictures on the Markus site:

 

Images for 4439153. KABUTOWARI (hachiwari), Japan, “Helmet -/skullbreaker”, Edo period, 17th/19th century. - Auctionet

[Alex A]

I know nothing about them but im convinced, be interesting to see what others say.

 

That hole looks punched.

 

Dont feel like modern junk.

[Bugyotsuji]

“Extensive lacquered wear on Koshiraé.”

 

This is deliberate, a red lacquer surface, allowing black lacquer to show through, creating the famous Negoro-ji nuri effect.

[Lewis B]

3 hours ago, Alex A said:

I know nothing about them but im convinced, be interesting to see what others say.

 

That hole looks punched.

 

Dont feel like modern junk.

Not so sure. Punched hole would be sharper with a clean edge IMO. To me this looks more reminiscent of a drilled mekugi ana with the burr chamfered down with a file or an abrasive. 

[uwe]

To be precise, it reads “Kusunoki Tamonbei Masashige”

The maker is allegedly “Gorō Nyūdō Masamune” and it’s dated first year Genroku (1331), witch is a “tad” optimistic, IMHO…

[John C]

4 hours ago, Kantaro said:

It was sold for 321 euro.

For that price, irrespective of the crack and possible gimei, I would have bought it. These are harder to find than other types of jitte or swords in the US. In that condition, it would go for double that price here.

John C.