29th Jun, 2022 12:00
Antique Arms, Armour & Militaria
73
A KATANA, SHÔWA PERIOD (1926-1945), SIGNED CHOUNSAI EMURA SAKU, CIRCA 1940-44
A KATANA, SHÔWA PERIOD (1926-1945), SIGNED CHOUNSAI EMURA SAKU, CIRCA 1940-44
sugata (configuration): shinogi-zukuri (longitudinal ridgeline) with shallow tori-zori (even curve); hamon (tempering pattern): gunome midare ('horse-tooth' undulating); nakago (tang): ubu (unaltered) with a single mekugi-ana (peg hole), signed on the omote (front side) Chounsai Emura saku; koshirae (mounting): tsuka (hilt of wood covered with white same (rayskin) with leather binding; plain iron mokko tsuba (quatrefoil sword guard), plain iron fittings on a mottled black and dull gold lacquered saya (scabbard); leather sageo (retaining cord)
65.5 cm; 25 3/4 in blade
Chounsai Emura (Emura Shigetato), was the director of Okayama prison where he supervised a sword making facility in the grounds of the prison. He made sword blades himself but also trained prisoners in the production of swords in support of the Japanese war effort. The style of Emura signatures on blades produced at this facility vary considerably and it is unusual to find swords of this period in non-military mounts.
Sold for £1,100
A KATANA, SHÔWA PERIOD (1926-1945), SIGNED CHOUNSAI EMURA SAKU, CIRCA 1940-44
sugata (configuration): shinogi-zukuri (longitudinal ridgeline) with shallow tori-zori (even curve); hamon (tempering pattern): gunome midare ('horse-tooth' undulating); nakago (tang): ubu (unaltered) with a single mekugi-ana (peg hole), signed on the omote (front side) Chounsai Emura saku; koshirae (mounting): tsuka (hilt of wood covered with white same (rayskin) with leather binding; plain iron mokko tsuba (quatrefoil sword guard), plain iron fittings on a mottled black and dull gold lacquered saya (scabbard); leather sageo (retaining cord)
65.5 cm; 25 3/4 in blade
Chounsai Emura (Emura Shigetato), was the director of Okayama prison where he supervised a sword making facility in the grounds of the prison. He made sword blades himself but also trained prisoners in the production of swords in support of the Japanese war effort. The style of Emura signatures on blades produced at this facility vary considerably and it is unusual to find swords of this period in non-military mounts.
Auction: Antique Arms, Armour & Militaria, 29th Jun, 2022
