Questions about the mountings of Handachi

[edzo]

Dear members,

I have this handachi in solid silver fittings en-suite, carved openwork dragon tsuba, and inlaid/engraved copper menuki with an attractive lacquered saya. I am wondering if the lacquer is known as wakasa nuri? In addition, I wondered how old it might be if possible. Someone referred to it as a boy sword?? possibly because of its size. The menuki are very attractive copper with silver inlay, gold inlay eyes and a gold gilt chick. Any info regarding the menuki would be helpful as well. It seems to me to be nicely made. Thanks.Ed

[Jimmy R]

That is wakasa nuri. Very difficult to achieve. The effect is supposed to mimic diffused sunlight on a rice paddy. Where the intention is to create the illusion of depth on a two dimensional surface. Done properly it is absolutely incredible. Definitely a rural sort of theme. Is it for sale?

Jim

[edzo]

Dear Jim,

Thank you very much for participating. The sword will be offered for sale I believe this summer. I am assisting the owners (heirs), to catalogue their collection. They have decided to put the collection on an auction block but have not yet selected one. I can keep you posted if you so desire. Thanks again, Ed Can you estimate the age? The tsuba is signed hikone ju tsunemasa, don't know if i included that. Ed

[Lance]

From your pictures I'd say it's from mid to late 1800's. Generally, most koshirae with silver fittings date to Shin-Shinto to Meiji period late (1700's-1800's) Most I've seen were either Meiji (1800's) with silver fittings or Taisho-Showa (1900's) with brass fittings and the lacquer quality wasn't as good as on what you posted. Most Taisho-Showa swords look more like "Toys" while your's looks like a real sword, only smaller.

I like the menuki too, they look to be around Meiji period as well, where some of the stylization of earlier work is replaced with some Western influence.

Also I don't think that boy's day swords were remounted too often like "adult" swords so most likely the blade and mounts are contemporary with each other.

(Take into account that I was very general, and there's always exceptions, especially from looking at pictures instead of in person, hopefully I'll be corrected if anything I wrote was wrong)

Regards,

Lance

[edzo]

Dear Lance,

Thank you for participating and your time. When I first examined the sword I experienced a balance to it. Then, I was impressed by the quality of the urushi though worn. As I examined it further I noted the gold foil seppa, and solid silver fittings together with what appeared to be decent worhmanship of the brass open-work three demensional tsuba. I was coming to an opinion that it may have been owned by a rich merchant or if a boys sword, which i'm still unclear on was a quality custom mounted piece of the earl 19th century. I have posted the Tsuba on the Tosogu topic in the hope I can get some feedback. Thanks again, ED