Sengoku Uchigatana Koshirae

A very large, early, and high quality , true samurai koshirae. This type of koshirae would have been mounted as a tachi with a leather belt and was popular from the Muromachi period through the Momoyama period. This example is an extremely pleasing example with a very humble, austere feeling. The tsuka is wrapped in asa fabric (hemp like) lacing that has been lacquered in black lacquer. The kashira is iron and the fuchi is a hard copper alloy, which has attained a nice dark green patina- the metal matches the metal of the washer of on the kashira.  The same (ray skin) is black lacquer, which was common before the Edo period. The menuki are of three Buddhist relics that were made by carving the motif from the surface. They appear to be composed of yamagane or shakudo with tokin (mercuric gilding). The tsuba is Buddhist as well having the motto “Nam Myouho Renge kyo” which was a mantra from the lotus sutra chanted by devout followers of the Nichiren sect of Buddhism. The style of the cursive used for the brass inlay on the tsuba was used by the Kato clan in Kyushu during the Sengoku period. Unfortunately, much of the original brass inlay has been lost, but fortunately, the outline and prayer are still vivid in the areas of loss. The iron of the tsuba has a very nice smooth surface showing lamination and has a matching deep dark chocolate patina to the kashira. Minute black lacquer remains in places on the tsuba. The saya is a long heavy black lacquered with a small thin endcap that remains unmolested albeit some wearing around the corners. There is a small chip in the saya koiguchi (opening cap) which is little noticeable. Other than that the saya is ubu with some tiny flea bites in the lacquer here or that that have been stabilized with a touchup lacquer.

This piece represents what many collectors wish to have as a center piece for their collection. It is rare that such a piece is even available for sale.

Dimensions: Tsuba – 8.5cm x 8.45 cm x 0.5cm thick at mimi (0.25 at the seppadai)

Tsuka: 26cm

Saya: 75 cm

Overall Length: 101 cm

Age: Sengoku period – Late 1500s

 

$4,500