A WAKIZASHI IN KOSHIRAE Japan, 17th-18th century, Edo period (1615-1868) The blade: Shinogi-zukuri with bohi and iori mune, the hamon with gunome and with a slight tendency toward sanbon-sugi. The nakago (tang) with one mekugi-ana, the yasurime is kiri, the tip is kiri as well. The mounting: The slightly oval iron tsuba with hitsu shows the Chinese poet Li Bai, known as Rihaku in Japan, sitting on a rocky outcrop and marveling at a waterfall, which is merely hinted at with incised and inlaid lines. The fuchi and kashira each show a scaled dragon amid clouds, in part with gold nunome. The menuki also with some gold nunome showing floral compositions. The black-colored lacing is powerful. The saya with deep black roironuri. NAGASA 52.5 cm, blade LENGTH 66.6 cm, total LENGTH 72 cm Condition: The blade is in excellent condition with minor surface wear, the mounting is in very good condition with traces of wear, the kozuka is missing. Provenance: Hungarian private collection.