Katana
Eashu Shimosaka
Category
Arms and armour
Date
1600 - 1630
Materials
Steel, Lacquer, Copper, Brass, Bronze, Fish skin, Wood
Measurements
42 mm (Width); 593 mm (Length)
Place of origin
Echizen
Order this imageCollection
Snowshill Manor and Garden, Gloucestershire
NT 1328904.1
Summary
Sword; Katana (Japanese sword), blade signed Eashu no ju Shimosaka, Shimosaka of Echizen province. This signature was used by Yasutsugu I, smith to Iyeyasu, the first Tokugawa shogun, early 17th century. Steel blade signed at the base. Copper fitting and two brass spacers. Heavy bronze tsuba (sword hand guard inventoried separately 1328815/SNO.A.209) with blossom and vines under a crescent moon. Flowers to reverse also. Two holes one of which is for the blade. The handle is wooden and covered with cream fish skin and blue textile webbing. Bronze kachira and fuchi with brass flower decoration. Brass menukis in the shape of a horse.
Provenance
Given to the National Trust with Snowshill Manor in 1951 by Charles Paget Wade.
Marks and inscriptions
Eashu no ju Shimosaka
Makers and roles
Eashu Shimosaka