A good quality Japanese Officer's gendaito katana and saya
second-quarter 20th century
signed Ryuminsai Kanetomo at the Dragon Sleeping Studio 龍眠齋兼友入道作之, in gunto mounts, the saya finished in chocolate brown ishime lacquer with gilt bronze koiguchi, obi-tori, shibakiki and ishizuke, the 27-inch (68.5cm) blade forged in iron sand from Kujukuri beach and having a bevelled mune and silvered copper habaki, the petal-edged seppa around a cusped gilt-bronze tsuba cast with flowerheads, the fuchi with peach blossum matching the koiguchi, the ray-skin tsuka bound in dark brown over gilt bronze peach blossum menuki, capped with a shaped gilt bronze kabutogane, signed to both sides of the tang.

Condition Report

Please see the final two additional images for the signatures to both sides of the tang.

Saya: Some chipping and dents to the lacquer in places esp. along the top and bottom edges. Hairline to lacquer around the top between the obi-tori and koiguchi. Obi-tori gilt completely rubbed.

Toshin: cutting edge with a very small bite and some very minor patchy patina marks. Habaki silvering rubbed.

Tsuka: Loss to spring clip from fuchi (gunto-fuchi). Bindings fair with some signs of age and use/hand grease. Ray skin appears good. Menuki good. Some wear to kabutogane including a shallow depression to one side.

Bidding indicates acceptance of the condition of the lot.  All lots are sold subject to general wear and tear commensurate with age and handling over time and only obvious faults will be mentioned after a visual inspection. If you have particular specialist questions on any lot, please state these before bidding since we cannot and will not provide a forensic examination of any lot but only a general condition report as a guide only. All condition reports given by Halls Holdings Ltd's representatives or agents are statements of opinion and not fact. If you require any further information about any lots in this auction or about bidding please do not hesitate to contact us again.