North American Auction Company
Timed Auction

Last Chance July 2024 Past Lots Sale Ends July 19th

Tue, Jul 16, 2024 02:00AM EDT - Fri, Jul 19, 2024 03:00PM EDT
Lot 289

Ca. 1450-1600 Japanese Samurai Katana Koto Period

Estimate: $6,000 - $8,000

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $5
$50 $10
$100 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$25,000 $2,500
$100,000 $5,000
This is an original Koto to early Shinto period, circa 1450-1600, Japanese Shinogi-Zukuri Katana with Koshirae setup and period Tsuba, often referred to as “Samurai Sword”. This was found to be authentic and offered by Bonhams & Butterfield in 2004 at lot 4049 and given a value of $6,000-$8,000. The blade is considered Mumae, also referred to as Mumei which stands for no signature. This is a classic Japanese forging, similar to Damascus which has been professionally polished by Mr. Yamishita in 1980. The blade is set in a Shirasaya, a traditional way of storing, transporting, or displaying blades. The all wood construction and seamless design is commonly used to display blades, with the Shirasaya lacking the tsuba for protection or any of the other traditional sword funishings. The blade displays a shinogi zukuri grind to the blade with a koshizori curve to the piece. The koshirae (sheath or holder) displays wood construction with a black laquer finish across the saya with a hammered copper and pewter fuchikashira. The grip shows ray skin with traditional cloth wrappings and a Kaga School Tsuba with gold inlay depicting a dragon in place over a wooden blade allowing the koshirae to be displayed without the true blade. The piece comes with an additional shibuichi oval tsuba. The Tsuba and Koshirae are both from the 19th Century, 1800’s with a contemporary black lacquer. This blade and koshirae were featured and sold by Bonhams & Butterfields fine art Auctioneers in 2004 under lot 4049 along with other blades. The blade comes with copies of the Bonhams & Butterfields catalog along with copies of its original paperwork. The blade also comes with a set of photos from their acquisition in 1980 along with a slip of paper showing the blades details. The blade and koshirae each come with a proper sword sleeve and shows wonderful condition overall. The blade measures 36 7/16" long overall including the tang with the cutting edge measuring 27 3/16" long. The koshirae measures 39 1/2" long overall. The blade, koshirae, and accoutrements weigh 5lbs 2oz.

After you have succeessfully completed your purchase, including payment of your item, the shipping process will begin. Our company has partnered with a few local third party shipping vendors. Shipping will be handled between these third party business and the buyer. Auction company is not responsible for shipment or any duties there-in unless stated below. Firearms will be shipped by our company. Once you invoice has been paid for contact Mark at 800-686-4216 ext. 3 for shipping infomation on firearms. After your invoice has been paid one of the below third party shippers will pickup your items. Once these companies have created a shipping quote for you they will contract you using the contact information you have provided on your auction registration. Make sure to include the shipping address and correct contact information for a success shipping experience. For questions on shipping please contract the companies below or JoEllen at 800-686-4216 ext. 1 For shipping quotes please contract the companies below: "The UPS Store” #2420 1106 W Park St, Livingston, MT 59047 Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 6:00pm Saturday, 10:00am - 3:00pm Sunday, CLOSED Phone: 406-222-4971 Fax: 406-222-9257 Email: store2420@theupsstore.com Postal Annex 280 West Kagy Boulevard D, Bozeman, MT 59715 Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 6:00pm Saturday, 10:00am - 3:00pm Sunday, CLOSED Phone: 406-219-2210 Fax: 406-219-2209 Email: pa14012@postalannex.com