FINELY MOUNTED KOTO NAGINATA
This is an extremely finely mounted Naginata by the Koto Bizen smith, Hikobeijo Sukesada. This Naginata is dated Bungi Gan Nen or 1501. This is a very important smith who is rated as Sai-jo Saku by Fujishiro. Hikobeijo Sukesada was the father of the also famous Yosozaemon Sukedada. Hikobeijo Sukesada left dated works from Chokyo (1487) to Eisho (1504). This would be one of his later works when his skills were at their zenith. Of all the many smiths who signed "Sukesada' during the Muromachi Period, the three greatest were Hikobeijo, Yosozaemon, and Genbei. Of these three great smiths, existing works by this smith, Hikobeijo, are the most rare and Naginata are exceedingly rare.
This is a very large Naginata with a cutting edge of two Shaku (Katana length). This equates to just a hair under 24 inches by western standards. The hada is a beautiful ko-itame mixed with mokume in some areas. This is typical of the Bizen school. There are areas of utsuri next to the shinogi-ji. The hamon is nioi-deki, as one would expect, done in a midare pattern. Above the nioi-guchi are many areas of bright clusters of nie which form the shape of clouds floating above the temperline. There are other nie activities throughout the blade. Because of the shape of a Naginata with its many angles and planes, it is exceedingly difficult to photograph. Thus the photos above do not begin to really show the beauty of this blade.
The Nagianta shape of this blade is graceful yet strong. One is amazed at the light feel of this blade and yet, at the same time, one is struck by the awsomeness of its power and strength. Making a finely shaped Naginata like this takes more skill that making a Katana. The blade comes in a shirasaya and is accompanied by Tokubetsu Hozon papers issued by the NBTHK.
This fine blade somes with an outstanding set of mountings. The saya is wood which has been covered in Bear's fur. This is really amazing and cannot be duplicated today. The pole is black lacquered and all of the metal fittings are intact and matching. They are done in shakudo with a very fine nanako background. There are gold family mon on the shakudo nanako metal fittings.. The iron end piece still retains some of its original lacquer. These mountings also come with papers of authenticity issued by the NBTHK in Japan.
PRICE: $ 36,000.00
