Hada: details obscured by current polish but evidence of a Soshu like itame/ nagare hada with indication of profuse nie
Hamon: Details unclear but appears to be suguha with ha-hada clearly visible.
Nakago: Ubu one mekugi ana, signed Norishige
Koshirae shirasaya (tsuka not original)
Provenance: private purchase 1968.
Lots 992 - 1009 comprise a collection of Japanese edged weapons assembled by the late Mr MacCormick between 1953 and 1963, with one final addition added in 1998. They were all purchased within the UK at local auctions, antique shops or privately. They have never been submitted for shinsa. Within the Collection there is a Daisho (large and small swords) and a good Gendaito from the Showa period.
All of the works are in largely untouched condition and a professional polish would undoubtedly reveal more detail of hada, hamon and boshi. Equally the koshirae include a number of interesting tsuba and small fittings which are worthy of further study and preservation.
Mellors & Kirk gratefully acknowledge the assistance of Paul Bowman in the cataloguing of this collection
