| SK-20
Item
#511
|
| Price
USD
$8,500.00 |
|
|
Description |
During the mid-late
Meiji period, when the wearing of swords was once again allowed
by those of the military class, special shaped swords were needed
to fit the mountings of those adapted to the “western”styled
militsry mountings. Sabers were usually made by a new mass produced
method for the masses. But the higher up echelon always wanted
the best, therefore custom ordering from the top makers handmade
high quality blades to fit the western mounts. There are examples
of Sakurai Masatsugu blades in top diplomat mountings, as well
as those used by the Meiji period generals and admirals. Sakurai
Masatsugu, also known as “Manji” Masatsugu (due to
the fact he engraved the “Manji” or Buddhist symbol
on his tangs at times) was one of the most renowned smiths during
the Meiji period. He is descended from the famous Koyama Munetsugu
directly and his swords according to Fujishiro “have a shadow
of Munetsugu seen in them”.
This sword, due to its very special shape shows the skill level of Masatsugu.
It is very very difficult to make a sword of this shape while keeping the blade
in high quality. The nie deki straight hamon is very nice and bright, while the
jigane is a very nice finely knit ko-itame with nice ji nie. Perfectly made in
manufacture, this is a very well made sword and shows that there was no compromise
from this smith no matter what the order of the times. In full polish, and new
shirasaya. |
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