This is the first sword I purchased from the Ed Hollenbeck collection. It is in old shira saya and has Japanese writing on both sides of the saya. One side was written early and has the sign of a famous appraiser, Hon’ami Kosan . In short, it states that the sword was made by Nobu Kuni in Yamashiro province. It was appraised by Hon’ami with a value of 150 pieces of gold. The other side of the saya has a payer hoping for victory in “the Great Eastern Asia Holy war ” ( WWII ). Also written is the family name and the fact that the sword was given to the son for the war. This writing is of the period for WWII. The sword was presented to Morihiro Ogawa ( special consultant for Japanese arms and armor, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York ) upon his request after viewing pictures of the sword. Ogawa-san verified that the blade was in fact made by Nobu Kuni in the 14th century and was most likely the 1st or 2nd generation. He also noted that the blade was shortened approximately six inches over it’s lifetime, had old polish but was ” still good enough to enjoy “. All of the hamon and boshi are still intact. Nobukuni is the founder of the YAMASHIRO NOBUKUNI School. I have included pictures of letters that I sent to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and to Sotheby’s Auction House in NYC with an album of pictures of the blade and saya gaki. After having Ogawa – San view and authenticate the sword he stated that I should take it to Sotheby’s for a current appraisal for value. In April, 1995 I saw Masame Kodama at Sotheby’s. He concurred with Ogawa and stated that the sword was Nobu Kuni, Yamashiro Province, Nambokucho era and probably first generation. He also said that the sword was shortened about six inches over time. The blade has a suguha hamon and is currently 26 & 1/2 inches in length, along the cutting edge.
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