Live Auction 21618Japanese and Korean Art
A LONG TACHI WITH SCABBARD
Lot 76

A LONG TACHI WITH SCABBARD

MUROMACHI PERIOD (16TH CENTURY), SIGNED BISHU INUYAMA JU KANENORI SAKU, DATED BUNROKU GONEN NIGATSU KICHIJITSU (2ND MONTH 1596)

Closed21 March 2023

Estimate

USD 35,000–40,000

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A LONG TACHI WITH SCABBARD
MUROMACHI PERIOD (16TH CENTURY), SIGNED BISHU INUYAMA JU KANENORI SAKU, DATED BUNROKU GONEN NIGATSU KICHIJITSU (2ND MONTH 1596)
Configuration [sugata]: hon-zukuri with iori-mune, curvature torii-zori, o-kissaki
Forging pattern [jihada]: itame with mokume
Tempering pattern [hamon]: gunome with togariba, fine nioi, ashi, sunagashi, yo
Point [boshi]: gunome on omote, notare on ura
Tang [nakago]: unshortened (ubu); holes (mekugi-ana): one, file marks (yasurime): hawk feather (taka no ha); end (nakagojiri): rounded slants to the cutting-edge (haagari-kurijiri)
Nagasa [length from tip to beginning of tang]: 126cm.; Sori [curvature]: 4.8cm.; Motohaba [width at start of tempered edge]: 4.02cm.; Sakihaba [width before tip]: 3cm.
Collar [Habaki]: single copper
In shirasaya [wood storage scabbard]
Mounting [Koshirae]: Black lacquer scabbard, a large iron round tsuba pierced with a wheel, 16.1cm diam., the hilt wrapped in brown, overall 191.5cm
The blade accompanied by a Tokubetsu hozon token (Sword especially worthy of preserving) no. 1018581, issued by the Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai (Society for the Preservation of the Japanese Art Sword), dated 25 August 2022

Specialist note

Judging from its exceptional scale, this sword is believed to be a honoto (offering sword), a special sword offered or dedicated to a shrine as a prayer for victory and good luck. Since being introduced to Japan during the Yayoi period, such sword has been treasured not only as a functional weapon but also a sacred gift to gods, or even being worshipped as gods themselves. The tradition of offering swords to shrines is still being practiced in Japan.