Ronin 47 Posted June 27 Report Posted June 27 Type (Tachi, Katana, Wakizashi, Tanto, Naginata, Other): Katana Ubu, Suriage or O-Suriage: O-suriage Mei: (Mumei, Signature): mumei Papered or not and by whom?: NBTHK Juyo Token to Unju (雲重) Era/Age: Nambokucho – Embun (延文) -Joji(貞治) period or 1350-1360 Shirasaya, Koshirae or Bare Blade?: Shirasaya Nagasa/Blade Length: 69.3 cm., 27 3/8 in Hamon Type: A narrow suguha in ko-nie with small ashi Jihada: Itame-gokoro with some mokume-haba, a faint utsuri near the shinogi Flaws: None. Sword Location: UK Will ship to: Preferred is UK, EU or US, but open to discussion Payment Methods Accepted: Bank Transfer Price and Currency: £29,000.00 Full Description from the Juyo Token Zufu (AI Translated so some errors): Designated on October 29, 1999 Chapter 45 important sword Unsigned sword, Unju Tokyo Miyuki Mizuno Dimensions: Length 69 cm, Curve 1 cm, Base width 3.1 cm, Tip width 2.3 cm, Point length 4.3 cm, Tang length 18.3 cm, Tang curvature 1 cm The blade is shaped like a shinogi-zukuri, with an iori-mune, a wide blade, a ring-shaped curvature, and an extended medium-sized point. The grain is straight, with mixed figured patterns, a fine crystalline structure, well-defined patterns, and interspersed mottled patterns. The blade exhibits a turbulent reflection, with some areas showing streaky reflections, creating a stepped reflection effect. The blade has a straight edge with slight koashi (small feet), fine nie (small crystals), and kinsuji (golden lines). The blade has a slight double edge at the entry and striking edge. The tip immediately curves back to a small rounded shape. The tang has been significantly shortened, the tip has been cut, the file marks have been removed, and there is one peg hole. Unsigned. Explanation: Swordsmiths such as Unsho, Unji, and Unju resided in Ukai-sho, Bizen Province. Later, "Ukai" was also written as "Ukai," hence this group is called Ukai. They are also known as the Ukai school, and because their name includes the character for "cloud," they are also called the Unrui school. Their style differs somewhat from the Bizen ware of the time, and is unique in that it has the characteristics of the Rai school of Kyoto and the Aoe school of Bitchu. This sword exhibits a magnificent form with a wide blade, a rounded curvature, and an extended medium-sized point. The forging shows a wood-grain pattern mixed with a wood-grain pattern, with a mottled surface. The reflection is a turbulent reflection with some streaky reflections, giving it a stepped reflection appearance. The hamon (temper line) is straight with small feet and a slight double edge, clearly showing the characteristics of the Unryu style, a blend of Kyoto and Aoe styles. Based on the above-mentioned magnificent form, it is considered to be an Unju sword from the mid-Nanbokucho period. Both the blade and the blade itself are in excellent condition, making this a truly outstanding piece even among those attributed to Unju. Provenance & other info: This sword was at Sotheby’s a few years back (see link below). Unfortunately, the original Juyo papers were misplaced by the auction house (who also did not get the description right!). I am chasing them for these, and if they turn up will be sent to the respective buyer, but attached here is the work from the Juyo Token Zufu for reference. https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2019/fine-Japanese-art/a-tachi-attributed-to-unju-muromachi-period-15th If further info or pictures needed PM me - my skills here are bit sub-par I am afraid Thanks for looking! Sincerely, Austin R 1 Quote
eternal_newbie Posted June 27 Report Posted June 27 Worth noting that with sufficient documentation (the scans/copies above and the sword description) the NBTHK will reissue Juyo papers for a previously papered sword, but I believe they will only do this once and, as always, there is a fee attached. 2 Quote
Lewis B Posted June 27 Report Posted June 27 (edited) Yes, I see many swords with reissued Juyo kanteisho. They are less desirable than the original though and can affect value or diminish the interest of some collectors. In any case I would actively pursue Sotheby's and apply to the NBHTK for a reissue of the papers with the nakago photo and Setsumei. Sothebys should be ashamed. They even mixed up motohaba and sakihaba with the latter also being incorrect. Not 1.1cm but 2.3cm. Nitwits btw the setsumei you posted suggests the sugata is suggestive of mid-Nanbokucho period production and not 15th century Muromachi as described by Sotheby's. I assume you were the seller back in November. If thats the case I would be making the auction house pay for the reissue of the Juyo papers. Edited June 27 by Lewis B 1 1 Quote
Ronin 47 Posted June 27 Author Report Posted June 27 Well, The sword maketh the papers; the papers maketh not the sword. But yes, it is incredibly frustrating, as I have chased Sothebys for a few months - I have just decided to list as is for the moment. I am happy to detract the cost of getting the papers reissued for the new owner - but still hoping that my pressure campaign will have them turn up sooner or later. Yes Lewis, the work is without question mid-Nanbokucho and not 15th century as Sothebys cataloged it. It a beautiful and powerful work from the Embun (延文) -Joji(貞治) period or 1350-1360. One of the finer works I have had the pleasure of owning over the last couple years of collecting. It is textbook Unju, which is why the NBTHK gave it it directly to the smith in their description. 1 Quote
Matsunoki Posted June 27 Report Posted June 27 Write to the Chairman and also the CEO for Europe and tell them that unless they find the “important official papers” you are contacting the Antiques Trade Gazette (who will ignore you because Sothebys are too important ) and the Sunday papers who will not ignore you but might not run anything. It’s the threat that counts. Mention the consequent reduction in value as a result and the cost of getting replacements. Good luck. 2 Quote
Popular Post Brian Posted June 30 Popular Post Report Posted June 30 That's just about all the "discussion" I will allow on this sale post. A warning to all, and I am not kidding. Stop the debates in other people's sale listings, or take a break. I have more important things to do that babysit people who are argumentative. 2 3 10 Quote
Brano Posted July 1 Report Posted July 1 I hope this isn't against the rules Here is a better translation of setsumei for this blade: 45th Juyo Token Katana Mumei Unjū Heisei 11 Designated: October 29 Measurements Nagasa: 69.4 cm Sori: 1.8 cm Moto Haba: 3.1 cm Saki Haba: 2.3 cm Kissaki length: 4.3 cm Nakago length: 18.3 cm Nakago sori: 0.1 cm Description Sugata: Shinogi zukuri, Ihori Mune, wide Mihaba, with sori, and an extended Chu-kissaki. Kitae: Itame mixed with mokume, with ji nie attached, chikei well entering, mixed with jifu, with midare utsuri standing, and in places streak-like utsuri standing, giving a dan utsuri-like appearance. Hamon: Suguba, with slight ko-ashi entering, ko-nie well attached, kinsuji entering, and with a slight nijuba appearing around the mono uchi area. Boshi: Straight, returning in ko-maru at the tip. Nakago: O SURIAGE, tip KIRI, yasurime KIRI, two mekugi ana, MUMEI. Artisan Swordsmiths such as Unshō, Unji, and Unjū resided in Ukan-shō of Bizen Province, and because in later times “Ukan” was also written as “Ukai,” this group is called the Ukan school, or alternatively Ukai-mono; moreover, because their names bear the character “Un,” they are also referred to as Unrui. Era mid-Nanbokucho period Explanation Their workmanship shows a style somewhat different from contemporary Bizen works, and has the flavor of the Rai school of Kyoto and the Aoe school of Bitchū, making them distinctive. This blade presents a grand Sugata, with wide Mihaba, sori, and an extended Chu-kissaki; the Kitae is Itame mixed with mokume with chikei entering, the utsuri is midare utsuri with, in places, streak-like utsuri standing to create a dan utsuri-like appearance, and the Hamon is Suguba with ko-ashi entering and a slight nijuba appearing, so that the characteristics of the Unrui group, in which Kyoto character and Aoe style are intermingled, are well expressed. From the above robust appearance, it is appraised as Unjū of the mid-Nanbokucho period, and with both ji and ha being healthy, it is an outstanding work even among blades appraised as Unjū. 2 2 2 Quote
Ronin 47 Posted July 2 Author Report Posted July 2 Thank you very much for that far superior translation Brano. Quote
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