Date: October 15 (Fri)・16 (Sat)・17 (Sun) 2021
at Tokyo Art Club(our booth No.9 on 3F)
More details; https://www.toobi.co.jp/special2021
―Exhibited works―
Japanese Page
Date: October 15 (Fri)・16 (Sat)・17 (Sun) 2021
at Tokyo Art Club(our booth No.9 on 3F)
More details; https://www.toobi.co.jp/special2021
―Exhibited
works―
Japanese Page
| Rai KUNITOSHI (Juyo Bijutsuhin) |  |
| Kamakura period, circa 1290 / Blade L. 70.8cm | |
| Rai KUNITOSHI is a representative smith of Rai School in Kyoto | |
| in Kamakura period. This blade was attested as the Kunitoshi | |
| and gold inlay on the tang by Hon’ami Kojo (the 12th master), and comes with Hon’ami Kochu (the | |
| 13th master) Origami, an old certificate paper. The Hon’ami family has served the Shogun for | |
| generations. The blade shows graceful and healthy Tachi shape with excellent condition. It is recoded | |
| in Tokugawa Jikki; the 5th Tokugawa Shogun Tsunayoshi presented it to the son of Yanagisawa | |
| Yoshiyasu when he met to greetings for his celebration. | |
| Osafune NAGAMOTO (Juyo Token / Tosogu) |  |
| Kamakura period, circa1300 / Blade L. 67.0cm | |
| Osafune NAGAMOTO was active as a fine pupil of great smith | |
| Nagamitsu who is the represented Osafune smith in Bizen | |
| province (Okayama). This well-preserved blade shows beautiful Utsuri, white misty band that runs | |
| along the tempering line, which is characteristic of Bizen swords. The ceremonial Tachi mounting in | |
| Edo period (18c) is decorated with gold and silver lacquered crests of Kiri (paulownia) and Kuyo | |
| (nine stars) design on Kin-nashiji (pear skin gold lacquered pattern) lacquered scabbard. This is | |
| suitable high quality for feudal lords “Daimyo“. | |
| NAGAMITSU (Juyo Token) |  |
| Kamakura period, circa1300 / Blade L. 67.0cm | |
| NAGAMITSU is a son of Mitsutada who is the founder of Osafune | |
| School in supreme sword country Bizen (Okayama). This blade, | |
| which is attested as the Nagamitsu and brushed red lacquer name onto the tang by Hon’ami Koson, | |
| shows graceful Tachi shape and beautiful Utsuri of characteristic of Bizen swords, white misty band | |
| that runs along the tempering line. The ceremonial Tachi mounting shows high quality suitable for | |
| feudal lords, “Daimyo“ or upper rank Samurai. | |
| Horikawa KUNIHIRO (Juyo Token) |  |
| Komoyama period, circa 1600 / Blade L. 33.9 cm | |
| KUNIHIRO who was born in 16c, has served Ito family in Hyuga (Miyazaki), | |
| then settle down at Horikawa in Kyoto after improving skill, and became | |
| leading smith in Shinto era (1596-1763). This good shape blade with well- | |
| forged surface, reflects on the Momoyama period (16c) style. The blade | |
| engraving symbolized Buddhist deity Fudo Myoo on the blade both sides, it is | |
| an excellent and dignified finishing work. The fine black lacquered mounting is decorated with | |
| Tanabata story designed fittings. | |
| Osafune KANENAGA (Tokubetsu Juyo Token) |  |
| Nanbokucho period 14c / Blade L. 73.0cm | |
| KANENAGA is one of best pupils of Chogi who is a great Bizen | |
| Osafune smiths in Nanbokucho period. This Bizen school | |
| adopted the forging characteristic of So-shu den style, and is so famous as Soden-bizen style. This | |
| wide and healthy blade with extending tip reflects on the feature of the period well, it is so splendid | |
| Edo period (18c) is decorated with gold and silver lacquered crests of Kiri (paulownia) and Kuyo | |
| powerful work. | |
| Osafune NORIMITSU (Tokubetsu Hozon Token) |  |
| The 12th year of Eikyo era, dated 1440 / Blade L. 66.0cm | |
| NORIMITSU who is a well-known smith of Bizen-Osafune school | |
| in Muromachi period, succeed the same name and continued to | |
| this era. It was probably made by the 4th generation. The elaborate all silver fittings made by | |
| Yoshimune with the leather wrapping scabbard mounting in Edo period. It is said from the | |
| description on the scabbard that it was collection of Count Ito Miyoji who is a famous sword collector | |
| in Meiji period. | |
| KOTETSU (Tokubetsu Hozon Token) |  |
| Edo period circa 1670 / Blade L. 64.5cm | |
| This KOTETSU blade, which is said to be a collection of Viscount | |
| Hosokawa Toshifumi family, was named as "Ishi-doro giri". | |
| The name came from the legendary story that cut a stone lantern when to prove the sword sharpness | |
| to the orderer. The Kotetsu is one of most prominent smiths in Edo period, and his practical powerful | |
| blades with well-forged technique are very popular. | |
| Gassan SADATOSHI |  |
| The 2nd year of Reiwa, dated 2020 / Blade L. 78.4cm | |
| SADATOSHI was born in 1946 as a son of Gassan Sadaichi who was the Living National Treasure. | |
| He became a pupil of his father in 1969. Now he is one of top modern smiths getting many awards | |
| in many competitions. He succeeded a skill of Gassan traditional forging and engraving technique | |
| in many competitions. He succeeded a skill of Gassan traditional forging and engraving technique | |
| worldwide. No one else can engrave such a dragon. This blade with powerful dragon engraving, can | |
| be enjoyed the Gassan tradition. | |
| Fujiwara KUNIKANE (Juyo Token) |  |
| The 5th year of Kan’ei era, dated 1628 / Blade L. 39.0cm | |
| Fujiwara KUNIKANE who was born in 1592, worked for the | |
| Date family, a feudal lord in Sendai, was given the honorary | |
| title, Yamashiro-daijo in 1626 and passed away in 1664. He succeeded a technique of Yamato Hosho | |
| style, beautiful straight forging grain and tempering line. The Wakizashi mounting, which is a black | |
| lacquered snow flower designed scabbard combined to Kiku-kiri designed fittings, is fashionable and | |
| good
contrast finishing. |
|
| Lobster shaped red lacquered scabbard mounting |  |
| Edo period 19c / Blade L. 25.4cm | |
| This luxury mounting is owned by Count Matsudaira Naoaki family of | |
| Izumo-Matsue clan, and comes with an old label that proof as his collection. | |
| Auspicious lobster shaped scabbard with Aoi family crest fittings is in perfect | |
| harmony. And the large Kozuka knife is so rare. The blade was made up by | |
| MIYAIRI KOZAEMON YUKIHIRA in 2000. He was born in Nagano in 1957 as a son of the Living | |
| National Treasure Miyairi Yukihira and became a pupil of his father in 1977. He got many awards | |
| as excellent technique. Chairman of All Japan Swordsmith Association now. | |
| A set of Samurai items |  |
| (Armor, Tachi mounting, bow, quiver, stirrup)Edo period 18-19c | |
| This blue and red laced five iron plates body armor is regarded as an order-made | |
| for upper class Samurai. And the 32 plates iron helmet with a rabbit designed | |
| ront ornament, which is symbol of progress, gathering intelligence and prosperity. | |
| Unique lobster tail shaped helmet |  |
| The early- mid Edo period 17-18 | |
| In Momoyama period (16c), Samurai used such an unique helmet to show | |
| their individuality, and pass down toward the Edo period. This unique shaped | |
| helmet is suitable quality for feudal lords, “Daimyo“ and upper Samurai. | |
| Lobster is favored as an auspicious symbol of long life and good luck. | |
| The parts, elegant curved line, Hon-Kozane steel sheets and cheek guard shows | |
| fine craftsmanship and sensibility. | |
| Publication: | |
| Nihon no Mei-kabuto (Middle Vol.) by Dr. Sasama Yoshihiko (1972) | |
| The beauty of Helmet shape at Nara Prefectural Museum of Art (1982) | |