NAOKATSU

(Bizen) Naokatsu (fss-511)

Mei: mumei   Date: 1800's
Nagasa : 33 1/2 "
Sori: 33.0mm
Width at the ha-machi: 36.0mm
Width at the yokote: 23.1mm
Thickness at the mune-machi: 8.4mm
Construction: shinogi-zukuri
Mune: iori
Nakago: ubu
Kitae: mokume-itame
Hamon: gunome
Boshi:  maru
Condition:  good polish

Naokatsu was the adopted son of Taikei Naotane. He was part of a line of master smiths descending from the father of the Shinshinto period; Suishinshi Masahide. Naotane in particular was skilled in every tradition, and Naokatsu continued the legacy of master smiths, but predominantly focused his attention to Bizen and Soshu earning him a reputation for being even slightly better in his forging than his father. Naokatsu�s skills proved worthy of his lineage and he joined the ranks of one of the 19 th century�s most powerful makers. In 1858, the year following his father�s death, Naokatsu died at the relatively young age of just 54.

 

This is a very fine Katana from the Shin-shinto Era. At over 33" long this blade is a rare long ubu katana in the tachi style. This blade was papered however they were misplaced or lost in transition and could not be found.  This sword will pass Shinsa again without a problem.  The Hada is tightly forged and flawless. The exuberant Hamon is in a Choji/Gunome style and is very beautiful and strong looking. The Hataraki (activity) is very abundant. This long Katana is polished in the classic Sashikomi style to add to the overall beauty of this sword. This sword has all the attributes of the skill of Naotane, forged in the Soden/Bizen tradition this blade is a piece worthy of the best collections. The Choji has a brilliant 3 dimensional quality to it and appears moist to the eye. The hada is a strong Itame/Mokume and reminds one of the old masters work. A fine Utsuri appears as well as a crystalline ji-nie that glistens in the light.

 Fujishiro Shinto-hen rates Naokatsu at Jojosaku. The Toko Taikan rates him at 4.5 million yen, and Hawley�s lists him at 60 points.

  

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FULL IMAGE

 

Details


 

KOSHIRAI
The mounts are of an exceptional quality from tsuka to saya. The Insect theme with floral motif beautifully finish the tsuka with an exceptional dark black tsukaito  wrap. The saya is an exquisite lacquer finish with flowers and raised insects of various sizes. The floral motif with insects was often used as a theme for Asian art. Mythological subjects and auspicious symbols were sometimes used as motifs for Japanese sword furniture. Floral motifs could stand alone as designs unto themselves, particularly if they had seasonal or symbolic associations, but they were also used as decorative patterns surrounding or backing more pictorial motifs such as the various insects seen here.

 

*Note*
THIS SWORD COMES IN SHIRASAYA AND HAS A TSUNAGI FOR THE MOUNTS.

 

This sword is on consignment.

~SOLD~

Order number  for this item is : fss-511

Email us if your interested in this item at  info@nihontoantiques.com

 

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