Konnichiwa!

We recently spotlighted a Shodai Masanori Daishô on our website that received great interest and attention. A daishô is the official sword attire of a samurai during the Edo period when on duty. It comprises a katana (dai, big) and a wakizashi (shô, small) with matching koshirae (fittings).

I am pleased to report that there are two daishô with Edo-period fittings in this catalogue on offer.

While a pure daishô may comprise swords by the same swordsmith with exactly matching saya, tsuba, fuchi kashira and menuki, the reality was different for the majority of samurai. Just as with the Masanori Daishô created for our client, a daishô can start with a particular sword already in beautiful koshirae. Then, soon after or years later, a samurai may acquire another sword by the very same swordsmith. What does he do if he wants to form a daishô? Does he discard the perfectly good set of fittings he already has? That would be wasteful. The result is what we have with the gorgeous Matsuba Motoyuki Daishô (UJDI002) in this catalogue — he builds a koshirae for the second sword to match as best he can.

The second daishô is a set of spectacular fittings in black with gold accents paying tribute to snowflakes, dragons and shisa lions. What a fabulous combination! The blades are equally unique — a gorgeous Kamakura period beauty attributed to Bitchu Aoe Sadatsugu and Kashu Nagatsugu.

On display at home or in an office setting, there is nothing quite like the grandeur of a genuine daishô. It becomes a reminder of what symbolised the samurai — loyalty and commitment.

Other fabulous swords include a highly collectible 73.9cm katana by Osaka maestro Kobayashi Kuniteru and a dynamite dragon wakizashi by fellow Settsu superstar Sukenao. Further swords include a sunnobi tantô by Chikanori honouring the selfless heroism of farming peasant Sakura Sôgorô, and a 500-year-old katana attributed to the Zenjô School of which I made a short introductory video.

It’s the festive season once again — a time to celebrate life with all the magic it offers. While in Canada my family and friends celebrated Thanksgiving in mid-October, just south of the border my family and friends in the US will tuck in next week for great food and conversation.

I wish you happy, safe and optimistic times ahead.

Thank you to all who have joined our VIP email list and to the many who claimed swords in Tokyo via a private meeting. Contact us at service@uniquejapan.com for all enquiries.

Feel the history and create your history.

Warm regards,