It is our pleasure to offer for sale a yari by the famous (or infamous) smith, the second generation Muramasa. For hundreds of years the swords and yari by nidai Muramasa (二代村正) have been regarded as weapons with evil powers. When we say evil powers we are speaking about their supposed ability to cause bad things to happen to their former owners, the Tokugawa family. The Tokugawa family who ruled Japan for 250 years certainly felt that the weapons made by Muramasa boded ill for their family, thus fostering and enhancing this reputation. For more information about the history of Muramasa and his legend, please refer to the following article: Nidai Muramasa.
The item that we offer here is a beautiful yari (spear) by the second generation Muramasa. It is in perfect polish and outstanding condition. The blade of this yari measures 7 5/8 inches or 19.45 cm in length. The long, unshortened tang measures 9 15/16 inches or 25.3 cm. It has only the original two mekugi ana (holes). The neck of the yari at the base of the blade is slightly elongated as is indicative of an older yari made before 1600. In fact since this yari is signed my its maker, Muramasa, who worked around 1504-1555; we can be fairly certain of its age.
The shape of this yari is what is known as a su-yari or straight yari made in a triangular shape. The kitae (forging characteristics) are a flowing itame hada mixed with some masame (straight) hada. The hamon (tempered edge) of this yari is a narrow suguha or straight temper line. As noted, it is signed with the typical two-character signature, Muramasa (村正). It is rare to find any swords or spears by Muramasa with his original signature intact. Because of his evil reputation among the ruling Tokugawa many, if not most, of his works have had his original signature altered or obliterated so as not to incur the wrath of the Tokugawa.
This yari comes in an old shirasaya with a sayagaki by the renowned sword connoisseur and founder of the NBTHK in Japan, Dr. Kanzan Sato. His attribution made be read as follows:
Seishu Muramasa: Muramasa of Ise Province
Eisho: 1504-1521
Meiso Kore: This is a nice work
Showa Hinoe Uma Ni Gatsu Hi: Dated a day in February of 1966.
Kanzan Shi: Kanzan Sato
This yari comes with two papers of attribution from the NBTHK in Japan certifying the authenticity and the quality of this yari. The first is a Kicho Token certificate validating the authenticity of this item having been made by Muramasa and stating that this is a Precious item. This certificate is dated the nineteenth day of third month of the 25th year of Showa (March 19, 1950). The second is a more recent Hozon Token certificate from the same NBTHK in Japan. This certificate rates this yari as an authentic item worthy of preservation and is dated the eighteenth year of Heisei on the 31st day of the eighth month (August 31, 2006).
Ubu yari (original condition) by this smith do not come up for sale very often so I highly recommend this item for purchase.
SOLD
