A BIZEN KATANA IN MOUNTS Muromachi period (1333-1573), 16th century Honzukuri, iorimune, chū-gissaki, toriizori forged in itame hada with a notare and gunome tempered edge, the machiokuri tang with two holes (one overlapping) and indistinct file marks, illegibly signed Bishū Osafune no jū [][] and with an illegible date, with a one-piece gilt habaki; the 19th-century koshira-e comprising a lacquer saya decorated with variegated dots of silver and gold lacquer, mounted with a silver and gilt kojiri chiseled in low relief with a tiger by a waterfall, the ring kurikata secured by a broad silver band, fitted with a shakudō kozuka chiseled in relief and inlaid in gold with a dragon in waves, signed Sanō Tokiyoshi and with a kaō, the tsuka wrapped in black silk and mounted with shakudo fuchi-gashira chisled in relief and inlaid in gold with dragons in waves, and gold menuki of dragons clutching sacred jewels, the iron Sōten sukashi tsuba pierced with Yamamoto Kansuke about to slay a massive boar, with silver and copper highlights, signed Eishū Hikone no jū Sōheshi Nyūdō Sōten tsukuru Nagasa (length from tip of blade to beginning of the tang) 73cm (28 3/4in) long. Footnotes: Provenance Alan Conway Davies (1891-1971), and by descent, by repute Conway Davies was for a time, tutor to Crown Prince Hirohito in the early 1920's and the sword was reputedly a gift from the Crown Prince. Davies was secretary of the Government Hospitality Fund and other departments 1918-29. After WWII, he taught Paleography and Diplomatic Studies at Cambridge and was latterly archivist for the Church of Wales at St. Davids. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing