From an old California collection. Excellent rare twin maker Shinshinto period wakizashi. In an excellent sashikomi polish (I was told that it was most likely polished by Yoshikawa Kentaro in the early 70’s), the gunome choji midare stands out perfectly due to the gorgeous polish. Made by Chounsai Tsunatoshi and his son Koretoshi (who became Tsunatoshi II ) the perfect shaped hamon has nice ashi with yo. The Bizen style was a favorite of Tsunatoshi, he was a very well regarded maker during the Shinshinto period and is rated Jo-saku. His workmanship in the Bizen den is said to equal Koyama Munetsugu who was a co-student under Kato Tsunahide with Tsunatoshi. He changed his title to Chojusai on Ansei the first, giving the title of Chounsai to his son Koretoshi as seen on this swords tang. The jigane is a very nicely well knit ko itame. The jigane is exceptionally clear. The boshi is very healthy and shows no signs of ever been chipped or broken. There are NO kizu. In an old shirasaya with an older gold foiled habaki. |
