Antique Japanese & World Weapons AUG. 29th
Lot 10:
Outstanding Japanese Samurai KAZARIDACHI Court Sword ~ Jade & Enameled Decorations. Scabbard of Nashiji (Pear-skin) Lacquer with Abalone shell inlays (pairs of mystical Ho-o birds). The gold gilt copper fittings of very fine quality chiseled filigree work inlaid with green Jade stone enamels. The decoration also incorporates a design of Paulownia leafs and vines – the plant associated with the ruling Tokugawa shoguns of the Edo period (1600-1868). From the Heian period (794-1185) the Kazaridachi was most common form of mounting for court swords and this style remained in use until the nineteenth century. Intended purely for ceremonial occasions and generally worn by courtiers rather than warriors, the Kazaridachi rarely held a well forged steel blade, although with exceptions such as on this Stunning example, the blade on this sword, though slender in width, is of very good quality and is quite quick and very deadly in use. The blade with minimal curvature if any, and is likely to date from the early Shinto period. Original hangers are disattached but miraculously survived with the sword. During the Edo period, such mountings were sometimes worn not only by imperial courtiers but also by the shogun and other members of the military aristocracy. The use of the triple hollyhock crest reinforces the suggestion that this Kazaridachi was worn by a member of the military aristocracy rather than by imperial aristocracy. The decoration of Ho-o birds coupled with the Paulownia leaf symbolizes the benevolence of the ruling Tokugawa shoguns. Almost identical and similar examples can be found in Museums in Japan, Europe and US. Total Length in Scabbard – 38 1/2" Blade Length (along the spine, from Habaki notch to the tip) – 21 1/2"
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