Sir Henry Parkes Presentation Tachi

[Bazza]

Just browsing and came across (a) this "Masterpieces" website and (b) particularly this sword, previously unknown to me.

 

BaZZa.

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http://masterpieces.asemus.museum/masterpiece/detail.nhn?objectId=11046&fbclid=IwAR3-YPATbyUfqYRSbBO1vWDj0jQxHUd0gHtMHlOFKjayvEmIxFZwFrVdbm8

 

This sword has a long and precious history: the blade was made at a time when Japan was riven with civil war and two would-be emperors struggled for supremacy. Japanese sword blades were precious objects and were revered for their cutting ability, their intrinsic beauty and their spirituality. The blade of this word was treasured for over 600 years before being remounted (it had presumably had this done many times in its history) by the ruling Emperor Meiji for a diplomatic gift to Britain's first accredited minister to Japan. The new mounts were of the finest silk, lacquer and gold fittings, and represent the finest traditions of Japanese craftsmanship.

 

History of the Object

This Japanese sword carries the inlaid gold signature of the smith Tomomitsu and is dated to 1335 (Kemmu 2). This was a period in Japan’s history know as the Nanbokucho (Northern and Southern courts) when there were two claimants to the imperial throne. The Kemmu period falls within the reign of Emperor Go-Daigo of the Southern Court. Originally, a longer sword for use from horseback, the blade has been shortened for fighting on foot. Any original signature would have been lost in this process but a professional appraiser has inscribed the name of the smith Tomomitsu (of Osafune in Bizen Province) and the date of manufacture in gold on the hilt. The blade was specially remounted with solid gold fittings by Ota Yoshihisa for the Emperor Meiji who gave the sword to the British Minister Sir Harry Parkes on the occasion of his private audience with the emperor in May 1871. A plate on the tsuba (sword-guard) carries a dedicatory inscription to Parkes which indicates that the remounting was carried out specifically for the gift. Parkes audience in 1871 was a quite different experience from that of 23 March 1868 when he set out for Kyoto for his first meeting with the emperor. Although accompanied by a mounted force of British and Japanese troops, the group was attacked at a crossroads by two Japanese fanatics armed with long swords. The narrow streets prevented the use of the cavalry lances and the assailants caused significant casualties before one was killed and the other incapacitated. The Imperial audience was eventually held on 26 March 1868, and Parkes finally presented his credentials to the Emperor Meiji as the first fully accredited British Minister to Japan.

[Ian]

I thought you may like to see a close up of the tsuka

[Gakusee]

From my personal archive when I viewed this sword. Impressive sword and very ostentatious mounts.

[Guest Rayhan]

Did someone say ostentatious mounts? I heard my middle name! Very cool bit of history this one, thanks for sharing.

[Gakusee]

The koshirae does look and feel like solid gold. Definitely very heavy. The saya very finely lacquered. The rest looks gold or heavily gold plated. And the blade is very good but not sure how one can appraise it precisely to Tomomitsu - it could be that the Honami shortened it and inscribed Tomomitsu as the maker , having removed the signature himself

[PNSSHOGUN]

WOW. Thank you for the pictures Michael & Barry, there's something really special about presentation Tachi to foreign dignitaries in this era. Brings to mind the excellent Charles Bronson & Toshiro Mifune film "Red Sun". 

[Stephen]

Id love to see this published with hi-res photos.

[Bazza]

I thought you may like to see a close up of the tsuka

The nanako is mind-blowing.  Excellence to a T - or should that be E??

 

My observation is that the "same" is in fact sheet gold worked as same.  I have seen metal same before, though certainly not as good as this.

 

BaZZa.

[Ian]

Here are some more photos.

[Blazeaglory]

Wow! I love it! Looks like real 24kt gold! Either way, that is some expert craftsmanship!

[Surfson]

I've never seen gold artificial same.  Amazing nanako on the kashira.  Would love to see that sword in hand.