May 13-15, 2025 Firearms and Militaria
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/13/2025
Literally "long and short" the daisho was the pair of swords worn by samurai, mandated in 1629 and restricted to samurai in 1683. This daisho is of sufficient quality and composition that it undoubtedly was made for a high ranking samurai. The Dai (katana) is made by the famous smith Tango no Kami Kanemichi. Kanemichi is a representative smith from the Kyoto School, which had many great smiths that were all related, including Yoshimichi, Kinmichi, Hisamichi and Masatoshi. Kanemichi is the second son of the nidai Yoshimichi, and is ranked as a Jo-saku maker by Fujishiro and his cutting ability is rated as Ryowazamono. This blade has a very nice midare hamon done in nie deki. The hamon contains nice nie hataraki and is a very healthy example of his work. The jigane is a mix of mokume and itame. The blade has a strong, wide shape befitting that type of blade used by a high level samurai. Tang is ubu but slightly machi raised. The wakizashi or Sho is the companion sword to the longer katana. It was needed when the long sword had to be given up on a visit or in some other situation. The wakizashi hardly left the warrior’s side. This wakizashi is made by Kaneyoshi from Bushu. The blade has the hamon made of a gunome notare resembling the works of the Muromachi Bizen School. There is activity of kinsuji done very nicely that flows through the hamon. The blade is in good polish showing all the characteristics clearly. With a cracked ice gold foil wrapped habaki. A nice match to the Dai. Tang is suriage but retains the full signature. Koshirae are matching Samegawa Kisezaya (wrapped in rayskin) mounts, with all the earmarks of a true daisho, with matching tsuba depicting relief carved lilies. Matching Fuchi kashira in the Mino style with relief insects and florals signed by Mitsunaka. Menuki in the form of florals, with high quality sa-me and black tsuka-ito. The sho mounts for the wakizashi are also slotted for a kozuka, which has a decpition of an open gate to a bountiful field of flowers. Both blades bear attributions by Honnami Koson on both the shirasaya and the tsunagi. Koson was a very well respected appraiser from the turn of the century. He is from the lineage of the famous Honnami family of appraisers who served the Tokugawa family for many years. Other paperwork includes NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon and Tokubetsu Kicho papers for Kanemichi, and both Hozon and Kicho papers for Kaneyoshi. With matching sword bags that show great age. CONDITION: Both blades are in good polish that shows off the features well. A few spots of looseness and some age related darkness that do not detract. Mounts are excellent with some rubs, but sa-me is still intact and tight. Horn mouth of kozuka slot appears to have been reglued. This is an absolutely fabulous daisho, much better than the normally found composite sets, with blades and mounts befitting a high level samurai.
Accessories
Koshirae, 4x bags
Blade Length
(A) 73.2cm (B) 50.3cm
Overall Length
(A) 40" (B) 28 - 3/8"