For sale: Bizen Osafune Masamitsu Wakizashi (NBTHK Hozon) with Goto school fittings

[Katsujinken]

Hi everyone,

 

I've enjoyed this wakizashi for a few years and as it celebrates its (approximately) 650th birthday, I have decided it's time to move it forward to make room for other things.

 

This elegant blade probably started life as a kodachi, before shortening, and is now a standard wakizashi size, with a nagasa of approximately 50 cm. The blade is in perfect condition and is a great piece for study. The Bizen workmanship is wonderful. This is no run of the mill mumei wakizashi — it will offer someone a high quality Jo-saku Koto blade in an affordable package. The blade comes with NBTHK Hozon papers. In my opinion you're getting the accompanying fittings for free or at an extreme discount.

 

The menuki are Goto school, the Kozuka is Ko-Goto school. The waterwheel tsuba is solid shakudo with a gold rim. The fuchi kashira is signed Issandō Jōi (一蚕堂乗意), but this is surely gimei (although the work is enjoyable). The kogatana is in good condition and is signed Hannyūdō Fūichi saku kore (伴入道風一作之). The tsuka is very high quality, with high grade same and a beautiful silk ito. The saya is basic and is beginning to split at the end. It protects the blade well enough in my climate, but if I were keeping this blade I would look into getting a shirasaya or new saya made.

 

Mike Yamasaki appraised the blade at $7000 USD (a copy of the appraisal can be included with the sale), and I am offering it here at $6000 USD. If sold here, I will make a meaningful contribution to the board.

 

I accept payment via wire transfer. Shipping with insurance will be at the buyer's expense. Local pickup is available at a New York Token Kai meeting if you are so inclined.

 

Most of the photos are too large for the board, so more photos of everything are available here for those who are interested: https://imgur.com/a/w4mIzkA

 

Type: Wakizashi 
Ubu, Suriage or O-Suriage: Suriage 
Mei: Mumei
Papered: NBTHK Hozon to Osafune Masamitsu 
Era/Age: Koto 
Shirasaya, Koshirae or Bare Blade?: Koshirae
Nagasa/Blade Length: ~50cm
Flaws: None 
Sword Location: USA 
Will ship to: Worldwide
Payment Methods Accepted: Wire transfer 
Price and Currency: $6000 USD 

 

Thanks for looking!

[Katsujinken]

Shrunk some photos :-)

[Glen K]

Are you open to offers, or you're price is firm?

[Katsujinken]

Sure, can't make any promises, but please feel free to DM me.

[Katsujinken]

I've consolidated all the photos (and added a few more) here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1QxzRdxaV1nF38QL7oTw0S6J73i0Em0M6?usp=sharing

[Katsujinken]

On hold.

[Katsujinken]

This is offered for sale again.