Adam's FINE ASIAN ART November 18 2024

147 A PRIVATE COLLECTION FROM THE SOUTH OF FRANCE 126 YOROI DOSHI Tanto SignedMINAMOTOMASATOMOof the Edo period. The Sugata type Hirazukuri (2 flat sides), Hiro Mune (2-sided blade back) and Ubu Nakago(original shape of the blade tang). > Sori (curvature of the blade) of the Soriuchi Zori type (slight bending of the Mune towards the cutting edge near the tip). Yasurime Sujikai type (regular file marks on the tang, oblique to the right). The Ji Hada (grain of the steel) of the Itame type (resembling the surface of a plank of wood) and more precisely of the Zanguri Hada type (loose and uneven) typical of the Horikawa School.The Hamon (hardening line) of the Suguha (straight) type. Boshi (return of the hardening line from the point to the back of the blade) Tsugiage type (pronounced and pointed) characteristic of the Horikawa School. The Horimono (engravings in the blade) of the So No Fukukara type representing a very streamlined dragon resembling a snake emerging from the emanations of a Rendaî (stylised lotus flower), again characteristic of the Horikawa School. The Korikawa school blade is signed MINAMOTO MASATOMO. There seems to be only one MASATOMO in YAMASHIRO (province), a blacksmith from the Minamoto clan. The blade could possibly be dated to around 1650 - the beginning of his career - his signature evolving over time with the attribution of the honorary title ‘NO KAMI’ from 1661 and the mention of his establishment in the town of ATAWAGUCHI in YAMASHIRO (Reference Hawley/MAS998 p. 359). > The blade ismounted in later and simple Kochirae (Meiji period) of the AÎkuchi type (without guard) with a satin brown lacquered wooden scabbard with darker polished dots. The Kurigata(trigger guard) in black horn and its Sageo (lanyard) in MUSACHI type presentation knotwork (with 1 strap). The Habaki (connecting piece between the blade and the handle) in copper with a trace of silver plating. The very simple Tsuka (handle) with Same (shark skin), Fuchi/Kashira/Koïgoshi/ Kojiri (rings and pommels) black lacquered € 1,500 - 2,000