ISHIDO DEN (fss-812)
ISHIDO DEN (fss-812) New Item Available Sold On Hold Special Sale Item description: When first viewing this blade you can see a resemblance of an Ichimonji blade. Fine utsuri covers the blade as well as Ji-nie. The chiji midare is very active and it appears as flames dancing along the blade. There is tobyaki and yubashiri causing a hitatsura like hamon. The hada is a finely worked itame. An exquisite blade and one that never tires of viewing. The koshirae is a high gloss black lacquer with a gloss black lacquered Same(rayskin). The tsuka-ito and sageo are a matching gold in color. the tsuba is of a scenic nature. The menuki are of shakudo and gold and the fuchi/kashira are of a geometric design. A beautiful gilded 2-piece habaki was made for this sword to create a great package and wonderful piece. The stub is also signed. The Ishido Kei had its foundations in Omi Province. Omi Province was the home of many well-known smiths from the late Kamakura period into the Nanbokucho period. Some of the more famous smiths were Takagi Sadamune (高木貞宗) and Kanro Toshinaga. They had many descendants but very few of their works survived so that by the time the Tokugawa period began, there were not many of these descendants left in this province. Around the Meio Era (1492), many of the Osafune-kaji from Bizen came to Omi and made swords thus breathing new life into this area. Among these was Sukenaga (助長) who moved to this area and is said to have founded the Ishido Kei. During the early years of the Edo period...
SHITAHARA CHIKASHIGE DEN (fss-811)
SHITAHARA CHIKASHIGE DEN (fss-811) New Item Available Sold On Hold Special Sale Item description: This sword has been attributed to the Shitahara school by the NTHK shinsa. There are many details which point this blade to this school, including the unique jihada which has a circular swirling pattern and is known as uzumaki-hada or shitahara hada. The dark jigane is also found in Shitahara blades and is a trait of this school. The Shitahara school is a well regarded school with great smiths. A rare longish Hirazukiri blade almost Katana in length this blade sports an attractive Bohi on both sides. Technically an O-Wakazashi this blade feels and looks like a katana. It is very light and well balance. The hamon is full of hataraki such as sunagashi, kinsugi and more.The hamon is an O-gunome based in Notare. The swirling mokume or Uzumaki-hada is a sight to see and appreciate. The tang is text book Shitahara and a solid kantei point. A beautiful and unique rare blade by the founders of this school. The blade is in shirasaya and there is a full set of high ranking military mounts that the blade was originally found in. The tsuka is adorned with a family mon of bamboo theme. History on the Shitahara school: Founded around the Eisho (1504) and Kyoroku (1528) eras in the later Muromachi period, a swordsmith named Tajima (no) Kami Chikashige from the Yamamoto clan, is credited with the foundation of the Shitahara school in what is now the Hajioji district of Metropolitan Tokyo. It is thought that he was employed by Oishi Sadahisa, a high ranking retainer of the Yamaouchi....
Echizen Kanetaka (fss-805)
Echizen Kanetaka (fss-805) New Item Available Sold On Hold Special Sale A very interesting sword made by Kanetaka. This katana has a wonderful hamon that is very lively and loaded with hataraki/activity. The mixture of the activity and overall balance in this hamon make it a very fine example of Kanetaka work. You can find much ji-nie and temper in the ji area. Its very difficult to give a good example of the hamon in the pictures because of the older polish. I can only say that in hand its much more beautiful than the pictures can show. The hada is ko-itame and is very well forged and has no flaws. This katana is in an older polish with some scuffing but has no serious rust. As for the mounts/koshirai, they are original to the sword. They came directly from the WWII effort. The handle is obviously the older katana handle with it’s fitting that date back over 100 years to the Edo era. The habaki is of copper with silver foil covering. These mounts were used and adapted to be carried during WWII. It’s a unique mount and very interesting to see the transition from the older fitting to the adaptation for the war. The saya was covered with leather to protect the older lacquer. The cover still has its strap and buckle, to hold the sword tightly in its scabbard. A hanger was also added in copper with a tassel. I find these mounts extremely collectable, there unique transition from older to newer adjustment for the war is fascinating. Swordsmith information:The NBTHK papers point to the...
Hirado-Sa (fss-800)
Hirado-Sa (fss-800) New Item Available Sold On Hold Special Sale A very interesting tanto from nambokucho to Oei era. Good activity/hataraki in the hamon is visible. A well forged hada and a lovely shape make for a desirable very early tanto. This sword is a beautiful tanto of gunome midare in itame with much ji-nie. This sword dates back to the 1300’s and has a very good history and is considered by many as a very desirable school to collect. This early tanto dating to the 1300’s is very healthy and robust. This is truly a wonderful koto era tanto from the Hirado Sa line of swordsmiths. The origin of Sa was that he lived in Chikuzen Oki bearch and was the son of Nissai.It was believed at one time that he was one of the 10 great students of Masamune but there is conflicting evidence suggesting this is not true. The Soshu-den style of his work was definitely at the top level of this.The well grained jigane is truly spectacular. This school continued until Nanbokucho periodand after that Sue Sa smiths such as Yasuyohoshi, Yukihiro and Yoshisada were active.This sword is said to be the Hirado-Sa school that was active around middle to late Nanbokucho period.It is a wide and thick tanto and the jigane is clear and refined in the Soshu-den style. The hamon and hada are well grained.There are over 30 swords that have passed NBTHK Juyo .The work is fine and healthy and may go to a higher level. HIRADO SA School KUNIFUSA TEI-WA (t: O-SA): Came from CHIKUZEN. HIRADOZAEMONnoJO. Father of HAKATA KUNIMITSU. Brought SA style undulating GUNOME-NOTARE BA....About Moses Becerra
With over 30 years of experience and dedication to this art you can count on his integrity, professionalism, passion and honesty to work with new and old clients every day.