ANCIENT PRE 1600 KOTO PERIOD BLADE**Japanese Yamato Naminohira school Ko (Small) Wakizashi Sword Blade Smith Signed ‘Naminohira Yasu Moto’, Scabbard & Expert Assessment. Sn 23419 Sword

**ANCIENT PRE 1600 KOTO PERIOD BLADE**Japanese Yamato Naminohira school Ko (Small) Wakizashi Sword Blade Smith Signed ‘Naminohira Yasu Moto’, Scabbard & Expert Assessment. Sn 23419 - 23419

This ancient blade has been assessed by UK Japanese sword expert Bill Tagg. A copy of Bill’s hand written notes and illustrations accompany the blade. In extracts from his notes Bill states “An ancient ko wakizashi (small) blade from the Yamato Naminohira school. It is a genuine pre 1600 Koto period sword, signed Naminohira Yasu Moto. Markus Sesko book page 312 lists 3 smiths using this name from 1394 – 1780’s. Hawley’s lists 7 men on page 800 a few with high ratings. In bright but worn condition, no Kizu or skin openings, needs careful polish to bring out hamon and grain and needs inspection in Japan to narrow down maker. Saya needs restoration, honoki wood with remains of black lacquer, somebody has started to repair it? The horn kurikata and end cap are missing, and there is no accompanying ko gatana side knife. The tsuba is mokk!3; shaped iron 2 hitsu ana, gold inlays of flowers and leaves, nice black patina and is possibly the work of the Nara school Circa 1800. The tsuka / handle amateur rebind in black ito. Odd fuchi shakudo metal, with kashira of very good quality in Waki Goto style, decorated with gold flowers shakudo metal. Menuki very good quality, Meiji period, of samurai versus demon, in gold metal. Would look superb if restored professionally. A very nice study piece if restored professionally”. In his illustrations of the blade he describes the cutting edge of blade as just under 43 cms. Total length just under 55 cms. He also translates the tang signature & describes other blade characteristics and dimensions (illustrated). The price includes UK delivery. Sn 23419

£875.00