Chigo Uchigatana Koshirae with Koshi Aogai Chirashi Sasa-nuri and Cha-ishiji-nuri Saya

Accessories

継木

Weight

拵総重量256グラム（継木を含まず）

As written by the shop

Machine translation from the shop's Japanese · may contain errors · Show original

Koshirae total length 65.5 cm, tsuka length 16.0 cm, saya length 49.2 cm Tsuka weight 107 grams, koshirae total weight 256 grams (excluding tsunagi) Accessories: None This is a chigo-uchigatana koshirae custom-made for the child of a high-ranking samurai. The saya is based on a cha-ishimeji-nuri, with the koshi section featuring shino-nuri scattered with aogai. The vertical streak patterns characteristic of shino-nuri harmonize with the delicate brilliance of the aogai, resulting in an extremely elaborate finish despite being a koshirae for a child. It possesses a refined elegance without resorting to gaudiness, and is a work in which one can feel a deep affection for the owner. The tsuka, though short in length, is carefully crafted, and the aged tsuka-ito shows a koshoku. The menuki feature a haboki-zu, and the fittings are of such solid construction that one would not think they were for a child; the fuchi is signed (Tomoyuki (kao)). In early modern samurai society, when a boy grew up, wearing a sword held the important meaning of cultivating self-awareness as a samurai. This work is not a mere toy, but an authentic buke-dodo custom-made for a son who would inherit the family headship in the future. It was produced without sparing any effort on each part, including the kawari-nuri-saya, and the expectations and affection the parent held for the child are conveyed to this day. Chigo-to koshirae are few in number of surviving examples, and furthermore, works like this one that are in good condition and equipped with a high-quality kawari-nuri-saya are by no means common. It is an excellent piece with many highlights that also possesses great scholarly value in conveying samurai culture to the present. It is a wonderful masterpiece overflowing with charm as a work of art that transcends the framework of a mere weapon, in which the unsparing techniques of the craftsman have fully come to fruition. *The accompanying tsunagi is a makeshift item.