Bizen Yoshii Wakizashi

bjmoose · December 11, 2021

Wakizashi – 45.8 cm

NBTHK Tokubetsu Kicho paper

Era: Nanbokuchō to Muromachi period - 1350-1450

Style: Shinogi Tsukuri Nagamaki

Condition: Very Fine

Nakago: O-Suriage – Kiri Yasurmei

Jitetsu: Itame hada - well grained with attached Ji-Nie. Bo-Utsuri appears.

Hamon: Niedeki Gunome/midare with deep Nioi Guchi through to the Boshi

Koshirae: All matching lobster style with silver and gold highlights. Signed Tsuba

(Naoyuki 直随).

Remarks:

The sword is the work of the Bizen Yoshii School. This unusual blade is in the Nagamaki style with an oversized Kissaki. The jitetsu is in Itame hada - well grained with attached Ji-Nie, Bo-Utsuri appears. The hada is prominent. The hamon is Niedeki Gunome/midare with deep Nioi Guchi through to the Boshi as illustrated. The blade is in good polish and is very healthy with a NBTHK Tokubetsu Kicho paper indicative of its quality.

The matching original Koshirae in the lobster design really sets up this marvellous sword. The signed Bronze Tsuba by Naoyuki is engraved with a scene of an old Chinese story of a man playing with the wind blowing up a storm. The Kashira and Kurikata is a bronze engraving of the God Daruma Bodhidharima. It has touches of gold and silver. The menuki and Kogatana in a copper and bronze alloy has an engraved Lobster motif with touches of gold color.

All together a stunning and unique work of art,

Did the best I could with my first attempt at some macro-photography of the blade, hope the photos are OK.

Asking $6500 CAD + shipping and insurance, or best reasonable offer.