Sword Japanese MURAMASA Start Price USD 14,000.00 Current Price USD 14,000.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price USD 14,500.00 Reserve Price - Start Time Wednesday, November 26, 2008 End Time Wednesday, December 03, 2008 Location Duesseldorf See more about 'Sword Japanese MURAMASA' Description MURAMASA TANTO   Nagasa : 27,5cm Motohaba: 2,81cm Motokasane: 0,67cm, hira zukuri, bohi Hamon: Gunome midare Hada: Ko-itame     Blade in good polish, ubu nakago with 1 mekugi ana, signed: "MURAMASA",(2. Gen), in shirasaya with saya-gaki. NBTHK Keicho Paper and NBTHK Tokubetsu Keicho Paper from 1970 “Very valuable”. Register: Tokyo 1951 March 6th “Daimyo register”. Sengo-school, Ise-Province, late Muromachi- period, around Taei(1521). Koshirae: Black laquered aikuchi-mounts , white same-tsuka and shakudo-tiger-menuki.   Muramasa I, founder of the Sengo-school, worked in Ise around O-nin (1467), his son Muramasa II around Tai-ei (1521) and Muramasa III around Ten-mon (1532). Our blade is attributed to the second generation. Blade has an early "Daimyo"-registration dated March 1951.   Except Masamune´s name the name Muramasa is certainly the most famous(or infamous) name in Japanese sword history. Probably caused by old legendary stories about Masamune and Muramasa, it was long assumed that he had been Masamune´s student. Meanwhlie it is certain, that he was a smith of the late Muromachi period and a student of Heianjo Nagayoshi. Whlie Masamune´s blades were considered "good", Muramasa blades had the fame of being evil and bloodthirsty. This was caused by historic events concerning the apparently disturbed relationship between Muramasa blades and the Tokugawa family. Tokugawa Ieyasu`s grandfather, his father and one of his sons were killed by Muramasa swords. When Ieyasu accidentally cut himself severely with a very sharp yari made by Muramasa, the fate of these blades was sealed: Ieyasu banned ownership of all Muramasa blades. They had to be destroyed or handed over to officers of the shogunate.(Apparently Ieyasu himself kept a large collection in his private possession) After this, ownership of Muramasa blades was a capital offence. Eventually, Muramasa swords, regardless which of the 3 generations, became scarce and are hard to come by today. They are collectibles well sought after and definitely a highlight in any sword collection. They are rated as extremely sharp. Hawley lists Muramasa II with 90 pts.   This is an autstanding piece of history!  An investment in history art is much better than real estates fonds!!!   Please see also my other auctions!!!   John D Rockefeller: "My real regret in life was not buying the art I failed to purchase - and only because of price. Money comes and goes but art is irreplaceable."    Please feel free to email me with any questions and look to my other auctions.b   Sale is final. Buyer pay shipping cost 10 EUR in Germany. Other destinations plase inquire as to exact cost. USA US$ 75.00. The responsibilety for transit is up to the buyer, therefore I can not be responsible for problems in transit or customs affairs, I recommend shipping insurance.   The high bidder is required to confirm their winning bid within 3 days and make full payment within 7 days by wire bank transfer. Please do not bid if you cannot meet thes terms     Place a Bid!