Jo Saku Shinto Katana by Kaneshige

27.3" nagasa (blade length). 38.8" overall with Tsuka (Hilt) and Saya (Scabbard). Shinogi Zukuri katana blade with two-hole nakago signed on one side by Izumi no Kami Kaneshige, a famed jo saku Shinto swordsmith of Musashi province, circa 1644. He was Jo Saku rated in Fujishiro, 60 KC in the Nihonto Meikan. The blade features a long O-Kissaki, Ihori Mune, and Omaru Boshi with crisp Masame Hada and Sugu Hamon. The Nakago is in the Futsu form with Kuri-Jiri tip. Habaki is silver plated and features a deep tarnish through its patterns. Blade is fitted with a Moko Gatta tsuba of black finished Shakudo with a Nanako ground and further decorated with red Shakudo, blackened Shakudo, and Sentoku knot designs. Fuchi and Kashira are Sentoku with a fine Nanako ground below a blackened Shakudo Asanoha pattern. The tsuka features black silk grip tape over traditional white same, and further mounts a pair of matching blackened Shakudo Menuki with gold details depicting the life of a cherry blossom from bud to shed petals. Sword comes with a wood lacquered saya matching the decorative forms of the fittings. The same Asanoha pattern is lacquered onto the throat and drag, the latter component having at some point been detached and re-mounted with a screw. An important and rare sword by a famed and respected maker.

This lot is located in Cincinnati.

Very Fine. Blade displays some small bites along the edge and three small possible rolls. Hamon remains clearly visible but is obscured by some gray patina near the tip, with the right side showing signs of possible cleaning to remove more aggressive oxidation. A pattern of gray flecking is forming forward of the habaki, and over the back of the blade. Some scattered light scratches, abrasions, and oil residues. Habaki is deeply tarnished, with some light dents to each side, and one spot along upper right edge where the silver has flaked off. Forward edge of the cut for the mune is deformed with a spur sticking up. Nakago retains a deep patina, but shows some spots of bare steel on the left side suggesting it was polished at some point. Sword fittings retain crisp details with some tarnish forming, light scratches, and some flaking or losses of gold finish. The same is cracking in multiple locations along both flanks of the tsuka. Drag of the saya has detached, and was reinstalled with a screw. It spins in place. Cracks are forming through the lacquer finish on the seams of the saya where it is opening up. The Kurigata has broken off of the saya, leaving only adhesive behind.

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October 17, 20, 21, or by appointment. Please contact the Auction Specialist for details.

Mr. Tim Carey

Associate Vice President, Head of Department, Arms, Armor and Militaria

timcarey@freemansauction.com 513.666.4984

Mr. Carey joined Cowan’s, a Freeman's company, in 2021 and is a 40-year veteran of the sporting arms and outdoor recreation industry. Carey joined Cowan’s from Griffin & Howe at Hudson Farms in Andover, N.J., where he was responsible for the acquisition, appraisal, and consignment of top-tier firearms consignments from important makers such as James Purdey & Sons of London, Beretta, Caesar Guerini, B. Rizzini, Bertuzzi, Renato Telo, and Anderson Wheeler.

Mr. Tim Prince

Senior Consulting Specialist, Arms, Armor & Militaria

timprince@freemansauction.com 312 280 1212

Tim Prince has more than 30-years of experience in the field of antique and collectible arms and is a nationally recognized expert in the area of Civil War small arms. A long-time researcher and author, Tim has been a contributing author to two major books about Civil War firearms, including The English Connection: Arms, Material and Support Furnished to the Confederate States of America by Great Britain (2014) and Confederate Shotguns and Southern Agent Marked Shotguns (2017). He was also a major contributor to the recently updated Blue Book of Antique American Firearms & Values – 2nd Edition (2019) as well as the 2010 updates to the Civil War Collector's Price Guide - 12th edition. Over the last decade Tim has authored more than 50 articles on 19th century collectible and military arms, which have been published in such varied publications as Civil War News, North-South Trader, and Military Antique Collector. Since 2016 has appeared as a featured appraiser in the field of Arms & Militaria on the popular PBS television series Antiques Roadshow. He is a member of the American Society of Arms Collectors and currently serves on the board of directors of that organization. He is also a member of and formerly served on the board of directors of the Society of American Bayonet Collectors. Tim is a life member of the Ohio Valley Military Society, the Tennessee Military Collectors Association, the Alabama Military Collectors Association, is a member of the Company of Military Historians and is a member of numerous other colleting groups and societies. He is the owner of College Hill Arsenal, a web based antique and collectible arms retail web site, specializing in the American Civil War and related military items. Tim has engaged in the business of buying, selling, researching, and appraising antique and collectible arms and associated military items for some three decades. Since 2016 he has also served as a senior Consulting Specialist in the field of Arms, Armor & Militaria for Cowan’s Auctions, a Freeman's Company.

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Arms, Armor and Militaria

Jo Saku Shinto Katana by Kaneshige

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