A KATANA SIGNED MASAMUNE, EARLY 19TH CENTURY

sugata (configuration): shinogi-zukuri (longitudinal ridgeline) with shallow koshi-zori ('waist' curve, near the nakago); hamon (tempering pattern): deep notare midareba (undulating with wilder accents) which extends as far as the shinogi with fine nie and nioi crystals Nakago (tang): ubu (unaltered) with a single mekugi-ana (peg hole), signed on the omote (front side) Masamune; in a black lacquered saya with red lacquer inscription Masamune

67 cm; 26 3/8 in blade

Provenance Sir Frank Bowden, Bt. Gorô Nyûdô Masamune (c.1264-1343) is generally regarded as the greatest swordsmith in the history of the Japanese sword. He worked in the style of the Sôshû school which flourished in Sagami Province where the Kamakura Bakufu (feudal military government from 1185-1333) had their headquarters. His blades were strong and beautiful and could cut extremely efficiently. He devised ways of improving forging techniques and the jihada (surface grain of the steel blade) of his weapons reflects the complicated combination of different steels used in their production. Around 1800 Japan experienced a revival of nationalistic spirit resulting in the production of excellent swords which attempted to recreate blades in the style of Kamakura and Nambokuchô period swords. These copies, or utsushi (an emulation of a masterpiece) were, for the most part, taken from early blades which had been cut down and remounted. Swords made from around this time are known as ShinShintô - literally 'new, new swords' - or 'new revival swords'. This elegant blade shows many of the characteristics found on original blades by Masamune.