Lot 92*
A finely mounted aikuchi The blade: after Umetada Myoju, Edo period (1615-1868) or Meiji era (1868-1912), late 19th century
5 November 2020, 11:00 GMT
London, New Bond StreetSold for £31,312.50 inc. premium
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Find your local specialistA finely mounted aikuchi
The blade: after Umetada Myoju, Edo period (1615-1868) or Meiji era (1868-1912), late 19th century
The tanto blade of hira-zukuri form with openwork dragon-and-sword horimono, sugu-midare ha of nioi, the hada obliterated, the ubu nakago with one mekugi-ana, inscribed Yamashiro Nishijin Umetada Myoju; the koshira-e (mounts): the saya of okibirame nashiji, the fittings all of aquatic subjects: shibuichi kozuka with a lobster in shakudo relief, signed Gyokusai with a kao; the fuchi-gashira of shibuichi, carved with breaking waves in Omori style; the shibuichi kurikata in the form of a leaping carp; the large shibuichi kojiri in the form of Kinko Sennin riding on a giant carp, details in copper and gilt metal; the shibuichi menuki of leaping carp; with a brocade bag. The blade: 23.8cm (9 3/8in); total length: 38.3cm (15 1/16in). (2).
The tanto blade of hira-zukuri form with openwork dragon-and-sword horimono, sugu-midare ha of nioi, the hada obliterated, the ubu nakago with one mekugi-ana, inscribed Yamashiro Nishijin Umetada Myoju; the koshira-e (mounts): the saya of okibirame nashiji, the fittings all of aquatic subjects: shibuichi kozuka with a lobster in shakudo relief, signed Gyokusai with a kao; the fuchi-gashira of shibuichi, carved with breaking waves in Omori style; the shibuichi kurikata in the form of a leaping carp; the large shibuichi kojiri in the form of Kinko Sennin riding on a giant carp, details in copper and gilt metal; the shibuichi menuki of leaping carp; with a brocade bag. The blade: 23.8cm (9 3/8in); total length: 38.3cm (15 1/16in). (2).
Footnotes
Umetada Myoju (1558-1631) was one of the most celebrated swordsmiths and fittings makers of his generation and was a retainer of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Such was his prowess and reputation that his works and styles were copied both during his lifetime and beyond.
Gyokusai was a goldsmith and sword-fitting maker who worked during the Meiji era (1868-1912).