East Asia, Japan, early Edo Period, ca. early 17th century CE. A forged steel katana blade of nice length exhibiting a shinogi-zukuri shape and a shortened (o-suriage) tang set in honzukuri mountings. The blade features a wavy (gunome-choji) temper line with a "three cedar trees" (sanbon-sugi) temper pattern formed by the tight (itame-hada) forging grain. The handle (tsuka) is wrapped in stingray skin (samegawa) and cotton bindings (tsuka-ito) that display a pair of gilt brass kirin-form ornaments (menuki), and feathers decorate the end caps (fuchi / kashira). The circular hand guard (marugata tsuba) features 2 pairs of perforations, one larger and one smaller. The wooden scabbard (saya) is inlaid with petite pockets of white seashell powder and covered in dark lacquer (urushi) with a black cotton cord knotted along one side. Size (w/ scabbard): 3" W x 38.75" H (7.6 cm x 98.4 cm); (blade): 28.25" L x 1.3" W (71.8 cm x 3.3 cm)

The katana is an example of a daito, a long sword, that could only be worn by samurai of higher rank (shorter swords called wakizashi could be worn by craftsmen, traders, and merchants, and are more commonly found today). Over the centuries that katana were made, the process of their manufacture became heavily regulated. For example, in 1683, the Tokugawa Shogunate made laws about the maximum size of katana and wakizashi. Meanwhile, once a samurai took ownership of his new weapon, he had to wear it in a highly regulated manner. Katana in this period were both deadly weapons and signs of status. The craftsmanship of this piece is evident and reflects hundreds of hours of work.

Provenance: private Jones collection, Boulder, Colorado, USA; ex-private Sacramento, California, USA collection

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#175626

Minor abrasions and nicks to scabbard with possible infill material in some areas. Cotton cord on scabbard is a modern replacement. Light abrasions to blade and handle, otherwise intact and very good. Wonderful patina throughout. Blade is still very sharp so please handle with caution. Modern cloth carrying case included.