TOKI SUKENOBU: A KATANA IN GUNTO KOSHIRAE By Toki Sukenobu (1907-1993), signed Toki Sukenobu saku kore Japan, first half of the 20th century, Showa period (1926-1989) The blade: The robust blade with shinogi-zukuri and iori mune. The hamon is suguha in nioi-deki with elements of ko-nie, the boshi is omaru kaeri, and the hada is ko-itame. The nakago with one mekugi-ana, the yasurime is takanoha, the tip is kuri jiri. The mei reads TOKI SUKENOBU saku kore. The mounting: The eight-lobed gilt copper tsuba is decorated with neatly incised flowers against a finely stippled ground, one of the flowers also acting as a button for the locking mechanism, the gilt copper fuchi and kashira similarly decorated, the copper habaki with vertical file marks, the gilt menuki each depicting a row of three flowers. The black-lacquered saya with gilt metal fittings showing similar decorations as the other mountings. Toki Sukenobu (1907-1993), sometimes pronounced Akinobu, lived in Seki, Gifu prefecture and was a student of Kanenobu. He was a Japanese army-appointed swordsmith (rikugun jumei tosho) but crafted superior blades. NAGASA 62 cm, Total LENGTH 100 cm Condition: The blade is in good condition with some surface wear as well as minor fukure and ware, the ha (edge) with some minuscule chips. The mounts are in good condition with minor wear and nicks, occasional light scratches. Provenance: Austrian private collection.