NORIMITSU: A WAKIZASHI WITH HORIMONO IN KOSHIRAE By Norimitsu, signed Washu ju Norimitsu saku Japan, late Edo period (1615-1868) The blade: Shinogi-zukuri and iori mune, with decorative horimono on both sides. The hamon is wide and mostly suguha with some notare. The horimono show a long-scaled dragon chasing a flaming pearl as a main motif, the rear side shows dragon claws amid clouds. The tang is ubu with one mekugi-ana. The signature reads Washu ju NORIMITSU saku. The mounting: The tsuba with a Chinese sage in high relief admiring the gorgeous flowers on a porch. Partly gilt, the background pattern with nanakoji. Fuchi-kashira with finest nanakoji, the floral decorations in gold zogan. The kozuka handle shows party gilt clams on nanakoji ground. The black-lacquered saya with densely speckled particles of mother-of-pearl. NAGASA 51.7 cm, total LENGTH 73.7 cm Condition: The blade is in good condition with minor surface wear and corrosion below the dragon, as visible in the catalog illustration. The saya is in excellent condition with extremely minor wear. Provenance: From a Hungarian private collection.