Lot n° 63
Estimation :
10000 - 15000
EUR
Result with fees
Result
: 51 200EUR
Japan, precious sword of honor of Marshal... - Lot 63 - Beaussant Lefèvre & Associés
Japan, precious sword of honor of Marshal Joffre.
Taishô period (1912-1926).
Rare sword called tachi katana by Gassan Sadakazu (1836-1918).
The sugata blade with hi throat, the nakago fuse signed "Imperial Household artist, humbly made by Gassan Sadakazu" and dated "Taisho Era 7th year" (corresponding to the year 1918).
The tsuka handle is fully lined with white pearl stingray and is decorated with two gilt bronze menuki depicting the three Mon of the Emperor of Japan in the form of a stylized chrysanthemum motif. Mekugi with stylized chrysanthemum motif.
Silver and silver ormolu koshira-e mount decorated with paulownia flowers (go-shichi-no-kiri) and the Mon of the Japanese Prime Minister's Office. Sageo woven trim with polychrome decoration of stylized chrysanthemums.
Hiramaki-e lacquer saya scabbard decorated with ten Hōō phoenixes, mythological symbols of good omen, wisdom, benevolence, fidelity, righteousness and propriety. In Japan, the phoenix is perhaps one of the most powerful deities, a symbol of immortality and longevity. It would appear only to announce a new era, and in prosperous and peaceful times.
(Wear marks on the blade)
Total length of the blade : 86,5 cm.
Total length with scabbard : 96 cm.
Gassan Sadakazu (1836-1918) was one of the most famous Japanese smiths. He was adopted at the age of 7 by Gassan Sadayoshi, one of the most famous blacksmiths of Osaka prefecture who trained him from the age of 11. Gassan is the name of the school to which he belonged just like his master. Founded during the Heian period (end of the 12th century), the name of the school "Gassan" comes from the fact that swords were forged near Mount Gassan in Dewakoku. The Gassan family forge is to this day one of the most prestigious forging lineages. Still active today, it is run by Gassan Kazutoshi, and his son Gassan Sadanobu.
Marshal Joffre received this prestigious sword of honor during the diplomatic mission to the Far East which he led from November 1921 to March 1922 and which took him to Siam, Indochina, Cambodia, Korea, China and Japan. He stopped over there for nearly a month. It arrived in Yokohama Bay on board the battleship Montcalm on January 20, 1921, and reembarked for Korea on February 19, 1922. Marshal Joffre, still crowned with the glory of the victory of the Marne and emissary of a powerful ally, was received everywhere in triumph. Guided by Paul Claudel, French ambassador to Japan, he met with Prince Regent Hirohito on January 21. It is probably at the end of this official meeting that he was given this precious sword. The Marshal must have remembered that on November 29, 1917, a similar sword of honor, the work of the same blacksmith Gassan Sadakazu, was given to the City of Verdun. It was then described as "a real jewel and a formidable weapon".
Throughout his glorious career, Marshal Joffre received many swords and sabers as tributes and presents, from China, Annam, Argentina, the cities of Paris, Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Perpignan, as well as three other Japanese sabers. They are all kept at the Musée de l'Armée in Paris. This prestigious imperial gift, forged by the illustrious Gassan Sadakazu, is probably the most precious sword of honor that he received, and is the only one still in private hands today.
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