ECHIZEN TOMOTSUGU / NTHK / SOLD

[Ed]

ECHIZEN TOMOTSUGU

 

O-WAKIZASHI
SHINTO
KYOHO c. 1716
ECHIZEN
NTHK KANTEISHO

SUGATA: SHINOGI ZUKURI
MEI: OITE ESSHU TOMOTSUGU
DATE: NONE
NAGASA: 60.166cm (23.6875")
OVERALL: 74.77cm (29.4375")
MIHABA: 2.70cm (1.0625")
KASANE: 0.635cm (0.25")
SORI: 1.11cm (0.437")
NAKAGO: UBU
MEKUGI ANA: TWO
YASURIME: SUJIKAI WITH KEISHO
MUNE: IORI
HADA: ITAME
HAMON: KO SUGUHA
BOSHI: OMARU
HORIMONO OMOTE: NONE
HORIMONO URA: NONE
HABAKI: ONE PIECE GOLD FOIL
SHIRASAYA & KOSHIRAE

 

O-WAKIZASHI
TOMOTSUGU
NTHK KANTEISHO

 

There are five generations of Echizen Tomotsugu swordsmith's listed in Hawley's.  This smith is also listed in the Nihonto Meikan pg. 633, ref.: 09MC2K.  The shodai or first generation worked around 1381 while the maker of this sword was most likely the last of this lineage working in the late Edo period and likely up into the early shinshinto period.  This sword was attributed by the NTHK to Edo Shinto, Kyoho 1716.

 

There are three basic designations, Katana, Wakizashi, Tanto and this a wakizashi.  The term O-Wakizashi is used to emphasize its length. To meet the designation criteria for Katana, the nagasa must be 2 Shaku in length. Two Shaku equals 23.86” or 60.6044cm. The nagasa of this sword measures 60.166cm (23.6875") or 1 Shaku, 9 Sun, 8.6 Bu.  It lacks a mere 1.44 Bu or 0.43635168cm (0.171792") being a Katana. 

 

The sugata is shinogi zukuri with tori-sori.  The nakago is ubu with two mekugi ana and is beautifully signed, Esshu Ni Oite Tomotsugu. The yasurime is sujikai with keisho and yoko yasuri on the omote. The hada is a flawless, perfectly executed tight ko-itame which at first glance could be mistaken for muji.  The hamon is suguha done in nie deki, there are chu nie and perhaps a sprinkling of ara nie in the monouchi area.   The sword exhibits chu kissaki, the boshi is o-maru with hakekake.

 

It comes in a new shirasaya with exotic wood hatome and a one-piece gold foil habaki.

 

Koshirae with black lacquer saya. The Kojiri is horn and the Kurigata I believe is lacquered wood. The menuki are Misugane (turtles). The tsuba is a nice iron sukashi.  The motif is of chidori and the four cross members could be a subtle Christian Cross(?).

Comes with Kanteisho from the NTHK

 

As with all “Sale Price” items, sale is final

 

LIMITED TIME SALE: $1250 plus S/H and any additional associated fees (pp, wire, etc.)

 

If you are interested in owning this sword, contact me via email only: yakiba.com@gmail.com
 

[Brian]

Good deal! Papered mounted waki in polish with shirasaya?
Beats the heck out of rusty project blades. Where are the novices looking for their first sword?

[Lewis B]

25 minutes ago, Brian said:

waki in polish with shirasaya?
 

Actually it creeps over into katana sizing.

[Brian]

2 hours ago, Lewis B said:

Actually it creeps over into katana sizing.

No, I think Ed is being very open and legit here. Katana is strictly speaking 60.6cm.
But yes...it does make a difference and only adds to the value that it's that close. Nice package.

[Lewis B]

16 minutes ago, Brian said:

No, I think Ed is being very open and legit here. Katana is strictly speaking 60.6cm.
But yes...it does make a difference and only adds to the value that it's that close. Nice package.

Ahh OK, I hadn't read the full description and was thinking in integers. Yes, fractions matter, still, like you said, as starter blade in full koshirae + shirasaya and old papers, with some attractive fittings its a really good option. The minogame menuki or mythological turtles are very appealing?

[Ed]

5 hours ago, Lewis B said:

old papers

 

Lewis,

These are not old papers. The issue date is shown in the photo, Heisei 22 (2010).

[Ed]

SOLD