Akinari

Small Correction: The blades were made in 1973 and 1977, respectively.

If anyone is interested, another colleague of mine and I are willing to jointly offer a this plus a 72cm Taima tachi for $38,000. Koshirae can also be made upon request, but will require further discussion. Reference Photos: Link

Will submit more photos tomorrow, headed off to practice for an enbu

Additional Photos:

This is a daisho by Sakai Ikkansai Shigemasa with a beautiful paired eggshell lacquer koshirae. I’ve never seen a koshirae made to this level of quality, and some to whom I have shown the daisho think that the koshirae of a higher quality than the blades themselves (which says quite a lot). The handles are twist-wrapped with leather. Both blades also have kozuka. Both blades were made in 1971. The blades+koshirae come with additional kantei papers from Mitsuo Shibata. The dai is tremendously long, coming in at over 2.5 shaku. Both blades are in good condition, and have nice horimono. Daisho Type: Katana + Wakizashi Ubu, Suriage or O-Suriage : Ubu Mei: Sakai Ikkansai Shigemasa Papers: NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon, Mitsuo Shibata kantei Era/Age : Gendaito Shirasaya, Koshirae or Bare Blade? : Matching daisho koshirae Katana (Dai) Weight: 999 g Nagasa/Blade Length : 76.5 cm Sori : 1.8 cm Mekugi-ana: 1 Width at base: 3.2 cm Width at tip: 2.4 cm Thickness: 0.6 cm Wakizashi (Sho) Weight: 548 g Nagasa/Blade Length : 48.4 cm Sori : 1.2 cm Mekugi-ana: 1 Width at base: 2.8 cm Width at tip: 2.4 cm Thickness: 0.6 cm More Information: This is a daisho with a beautiful paired eggshell lacquer koshirae. I’ve never seen a koshirae made to this level of quality, and some to whom I have shown the daisho think that the koshirae of a higher quality than the blades themselves (which says quite a lot). The handles are twist-wrapped with leather. Both blades also have kozuka. The blades+koshirae come with additional kantei papers from Mitsuo Shibata. The dai is tremendously long, coming in at over 2.5 shaku. Both blades are in good condition, and have nice horimono. Smith Details: Known Signatures: Shigemasa (繁政) Shigemasa (繁正) - initial signature Sakai Ikkansai Shigemasa (酒井一貫斎繁正) Tōtō Jōhoku ni oite Sakai Ikkansai Shigemasa kinsaku (東都於城北酒井一貫斎繁正謹作) Sakai Ikkansai Shigemasa (酒井一貫斎繁政) Sakai Shigemasa hori-dōsaku (酒井繁政彫同作) Civilian Name - Sakai Hiroshi (酒井寛) He was born on August 19th 1905 as third son of Sakai Yasujirō (酒井安次郎), the younger brother of Miyaguchi Shigetoshi (宮口繁寿), in Shizuoka. In 1925 he started his apprenticeship as a swordsmith under Kasama Shigetsugu (笠間繁継) and became independent in 1932. During World War II he worked for the forges “Nihontō-tanrenkai” (日本刀鍛錬会) and “Ōkura-Nihontō-tanrenjo” (大倉日本刀鍛錬所). During this period, he forged ten tantō for Admiral Yamamoto Isoroku (山本五十六, 1884-1943). He died 1995 at the age of 91. Like his master Shigetsugu, he was an excellent horimono carver. Kantei Details: The additional kantei papers come from Mitsuo Shibata, who was a student of Fujishiro-sensei and of Japan’s foremost sword appraisers. He was a member of many Japanese sword appraisal organizations, including the Sword Appraisal Committee for the Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs and the NBTHK. Sword Location : Seattle, WA Will ship to : US (can discuss for overseas) Payment Methods Accepted : Bank Wire (open to discussion) Price and Currency : $15,500 USD

More pictures, as promised:

Lowering the price to $19,500. I will post more photos shortly - wasn't aware the file limit was rather small when I originally posted.

Thanks for the feedback, Georges. The post has been updated. Also, here is the Juyo Certificate and other associated documentation.

I am listing my Juyo Token blade for sale with the consent of my instructor, Tatsuhiko Konno-sensei. This is a fine example of a Taima blade (mumei) dating from the late Kamakura period. This blade was awarded Juyo Token at the 67th NBTHK evaluation. The blade comes with a shirasaya, oshigata, and a double-layer, gold-plated habaki. Type (Tachi, Katana, Wakizashi, Tanto, Naginata, Other) : Katana Ubu, Suriage or O-Suriage : Suriage Mei : (Mumei, Signature) : Mumei Papered or not and by whom? : Juyo Token, 67th NBTHK Era/Age : Late Kamakura Period Shirasaya, Koshirae or Bare Blade? : Shirasaya Weight: 610 g Nagasa/Blade Length : 61.9 cm Sori : 1.3 cm Mekugi-ana: 3 Width at base: 3.0 cm Width at tip: 2.2 cm Thickness: 0.6 cm Hamon Type : Suguha Jihada : Mokume-hada Other Hataraki Visible : Nioi-guchi Flaws : N/A Other Info and Full Description : The blade was judged as belonging to the Taima school. The Taima school is one of the 5 Yamato schools, along with Hosho, Senjuin, Shikkake, and Tegai. Yamato den swords are quite uncommon, and those of the Taima are especially uncommon. Despite (or perhaps partially due to) their rarity, Taima blades often trickle up to Juyo status. This blade has a large suriage, but the fundamental characteristics of the blade are clear to see. Namely, the polish brings out the fantastic Taima school mokume hada - on a personal note, I have studied many blades under my instructor, and have never seen one with such beautiful and apparent hada as this. The hamon of the blade is of course suguha, but has a deep nioi-guchi. I like to think of suguha hamon as a ZNKR seitei kata - though standard in outward appearance between many blades, the execution truly distinguishes masters. I hope this blade may become a fine part of your collection. Sword Location : Seattle, WA Will ship to : US (need to research for overseas, my first time!) Payment Methods Accepted : Bank Wire (open to discussion) Price and Currency : $22,000 USD This is a price I will have to consult with my instructor on, but am open to discussion. Unfortunately, given the current political climate in the US, there may be a hefty surcharge on any blades coming in the future.

I tried to bid on this. Jauce is very annoying because they force you to have the bid amount in your account when you bid, but PayPal blocked me from sending that amount to Jauce because it was over the arbitrarily determined and hidden limit. Very frustrated.