説明

Antique Japanese Yari (spear), signed "Musashi-jū Kanemasa" (武蔵住兼正) — a grand ōmi sasa-ho yari, NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Tōken An imposing large bamboo-leaf-shaped spear by an early-Edo (Shintō) smith of the Mino/Seki Kanenori line — thick, healthy, and finely forged; in shirasaya with a display shaft A guaranteed piece designated "Tokubetsu Hozon Tōken" (Especially Worthy of Preservation) by the NBTHK (Nihon Bijutsu Tōken Hozon Kyōkai). With the overwhelming presence unique to a large ōmi sasa-ho yari (great bamboo-leaf spear) and the sure forging that inherits the tradition of the Seki Kanenori school, it can be recommended with full confidence — both as a centerpiece for an existing sword collection and as a single work for savoring the beauty of the Japanese spear. Workmanship and condition The jigane is an itame with flowing masame , showing a beautiful, clear steel character. The temper line is a midare of leisurely notare mixed with ko-gunome ; fine nie gather along the temper border, glowing with a bright, clear brilliance when the light catches them. Freshly polished — though the very finest faint scratches can be seen, the overall condition of steel and temper is very good. The contrast between the grain spreading across the broad flat surface ( hira-ji ) unique to a large spear and the clear temper border is a major highlight for the Japanese-sword enthusiast. Form A grand ōmi sasa-ho yari (large bamboo-leaf-shaped spear) boasting a blade length of 35.8 cm. It has a full, beautiful fukura (curved swell) while drawing in to a dignified taper toward the base — a crisp, upright construction. It retains a thick, solid kasane from base to tip (about 11 mm at the base), uniting the sturdiness of a practical spear with sculptural beauty as a work of art at a high level. On the smith — Kanemasa (兼正) Kanemasa, the maker of this work, was a fifth-generation descendant of Kanenori (兼法), a master smith of Mino Province (Seki) in the late Muromachi period. A smith of rea