WAKIZASHI by SHIMADA SUKEMUNE   (45 cm.)

This sword is signed "Sukemune" and was probably made by the second generation Sukemune, whose personal name was Kuruzaemon. His father was a younger brother to the Shodai Yoshisuke, the founder of the Shimada School during the Kosho era (circa 1455). There were three generations of Yoshisuke and three of Sukemune during the period 1455 until 1558 and great similarities of style are found between the Shimada School and the Soshu School. As a result, it is felt that there were collaborative exchanges between Shimada, Soshu and Sengo Schools, amongst others and so it would not be unusual to see a Muramasa style Hamon or a Funa-gata or mild Tanagobara-gata Nakago from any of these.

This blade has Bo-Hi on one side, Gomabashi and a Bonji on the other, bears a copper Habaki and is mounted in a good Shirasaya. It is accompanied by an N.T.H.K. Kanteisho Origami. The Koshirae is Higo style, the fittings are of iron with gold borders and the Tsuka is wrapped in Katatemaki style (battle wrap) with a copper and a Shakudo 'Ichi' Menuki. The Tsuba is Mokko form iron Sukashi and carved with Warabi (ferns) and is signed 'Nobuiye'. The Koshirae is mounted on a Tsunagi and is contained in a silk brocade bag displaying Kikusui (chrysanthemum floating on water).