Ed Posted March 12 Report Posted March 12 HOSOKAWA MASACHIKA -SOLD- SHINSHINTO RATING: 2 MILLION YEN MEI: MUMEI DATE: NONE NAGASA: 72.39cm (28.5") OVERALL: 96.52cm (38") MIHABA: 3.175cm (1.25") KASANE: 0.63cm (0.25") SORI: 2.222cm (0.875") NAKAGO: UBU MEKUGI ANA: ONE YASURIME: SUJIKAI MUNE: IORI HADA: ITAME WITH MASAME HAMON: KO-MIDARE BASED ON SUGUHA BOSHI: MIDARE-KOMI HORIMONO OMOTE: NONE HORIMONO URA: NONE HABAKI: ONE PIECE SILVER FOIL GUNTO KOSHIRAE NTHK KANTEISHO This is a long wide mumei katana attributed to den Hosokawa Masachika by the NTHK. The kanteisho does not directly attribute this katana to a specific generation, however, they do attribute this work to Musashi province and Kaei period (1848-1854). There were two generations of Hosokawa Masachika. The shodai, Tenpō (天保, 1830-1844), Musashi province, signed using the following combination of characters 正親. He was active from approximately 1830-1868 and was a student of the famous Hosokawa Masayoshi who in turn was a student of Suishinsei Masahide. The nidai Masachika, Kaei (嘉永, 1848-1854), Musashi province, never signed with the same characters as his father, but instead used 正近. Of note, the nidai was executed in 1868 for producing gimei blades. The working period of the two generations overlapped and with this sword being mumei we can ascertain this is what led to the den attribution. The kanji used for these papers is the Chika character used by the shodai 親, although that doesn’t mean anything other than that is what was written. I only mention this as I have seen Masachika papers using the character used by the nidai. The working date of Kaei would point to the nidai. This is a big beefy katana with a 28.5” nagasa and is 38” overall. Structurally, the blade is in great condition but not in great polish. There are a few light surface scratches or hikekake and a few stains, but nothing fatal, detrimental or anything which prevented it from receiving NTHK papers. Even with the less than optimal polish the blade still offers lots of activity to be seen, like chikei, kinsuji, sunagashi, etc., see photos. If this sword was re-polished it would be a stunning piece. The blade is housed in a standard Type 98 Gunto Koshirae. The koshirae is in good overall condition. The ito was replaced a few years ago as the original was tattered and falling apart. The saya has one small dent, and the paint is flaking in spots as seen in the photos. Courtesy of Sesko’s, Swordsmiths A-Z: MASACHIKA (正近), 2nd gen., Kaei (嘉永, 1848-1854), Musashi – “Namiesuke Masachika kore o saku” (濤江介正近作之), “Namiesuke Masachika” (濤江介正近作), “Masachika saku” (正近作), real name Sakai Namiesuke (酒井濤江介), he was the son of the 1st gen. Masachika (正親) but signed his name throughout his life with the characters (正近), i.e. never as (正親) like his father did, some sources list both smith in one entry, i.e. as one person and one generation, he lived in the village of Kobiki (小比企) in Hachiōji but moved later to Edo´s Kobikichō district (木挽町), we know blades from the Kaei to the Genji era (元治, 1864-1865), he was very talented but was executed in Hachiōji in the course of the execution of Ogura Tadamasa (小栗忠順, 1827-1868) in Keiō four (慶応, 1868) who sided with the bakufu against the emperor, but it is also said that he was executed for producing forgeries Condition: See Photos. NOTE: The photos didn't come out too good on this one. It looks better in hand that the photos. The close-ups of the activities reveal the condition better than the full length shots. The information provided is all I have on this item. Returns: No accepted unless item is not as described.Ships USPS Priority Mail Insured. Your address and contact information is required to get an accurate shipping quote. Buyer is responsible for knowing your countries import laws and regulations. SOLD 3 Quote
ChrisW Posted March 12 Report Posted March 12 (edited) Sending an email now. Edited March 12 by ChrisW 2 Quote
Brian Posted March 13 Report Posted March 13 Some remarkable deals here. A Nihonto in Gunto mounts, papered...for the price of a Showato? 2 Quote
lonely panet Posted March 13 Report Posted March 13 thats a insane price, i could buy this in AUD and still make money 1 1 Quote
Lewis B Posted March 13 Report Posted March 13 Superb deal. This little tidbit just adds to the soup "The nidai Masachika, Kaei (嘉永, 1848-1854), Musashi province, never signed with the same characters as his father, but instead used 正近. Of note, the nidai was executed in 1868 for producing gimei blades." Although he could equally have been beheaded for politcal allegiances. Afterall Kajihei wasn't executed for his gimei foibles. Nethertheless an interesting historical demise. 2 1 Quote
Ed Posted March 13 Author Report Posted March 13 13 hours ago, Brian said: Some remarkable deals here. A Nihonto in Gunto mounts, papered...for the price of a Showato? In all fairness it could use a polish. Hope I have allowed for that. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.