KO-DACHI BY AKIHIDE
This is a spectacular ko-dachi by one of the most famous of all gendai smiths, Kurihara Akihide. His given name was Kurihara Hikosaburo and he was a student of the second generation Inagaki Masamori. He was elected to the lower house of the House of Representatives of Tochigi Prefecture. During this time he was active inthe establishment of the Nihonto Tanren Denshusho (sword making academy in Tokyo). He had many famous students including Miyaari Yukihira (Living National Treasure), Amada Akitsugu, and Akimoto Akitomo. He died in 1954.
This beautiful sword was exhibited in Tokyo at the NBTHK headquarters during a special exhibit for the national convention in 1996. It measures 60.5 cm and has a robust notare midare hamon with many beautiful activities. The hada is a dense ko-itame mixed with areas of mokume which reminds us of the finest koto Bizen blades.
The mei on this blade reflects the fact that Akihide was awarded the fourth order merit by the Emperor in 1936. The full signature reads, "Kunyonto Kurihara Akihide Saku Kore". This means, " This blade was made by Kurihara Akihide of the order of merit fourth class". The ura has the date "Showa ju yon nen ju gatsu kichi nichi". This means, "Made on a lucky day in October, 1939".
This blade is in full polish with a solid silver habaki and is in a new shirasaya. It comes with NBTHK Hozon papers attesting to its validity and quality. This is a "must have" for a serious gendai collector.
PRICE: $8,500.00
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