MASANORI: A WAKIZASHI IN SHIRASAYA By Masanori, signed Masanori Japan, 18th-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868) The robust blade with shinogi-zukuri and iori mune. The hamon is gunome-midare in nioideki with togari, the boshi is komaru kaeri with notare hamon. The hada is itame. One side of the blade with horimono depicting a dragon coiled around a sword, representing the guardian deity Fudo Myo-o, the other side with bon script and gomabashi. The nakago (tang) is ubu, with one mekugi-ana, the yasurime is katte agari, the tip is kuri jiri. The mei (signature) reads MASANORI; several master swordsmiths used this name throughout the centuries until the end of the Edo period. LENGTH 47 cm (the blade) and 97 cm (the shirasaya) Condition: The blade is in very good condition with only minor surface wear. The shirasaya is in very good condition with minor wear and small nicks here and there. Provenance: Hungarian private collection. Auction comparison: Compare a ko-wakizashi by Fujiwara Masanori, with horimono depicting Fudo Myo-o and dated to the 19th century, at Bonhams, Fine Japanese Works of Art, 13 September 2011, New York, lot 2268 (sold for 7,500 USD).