A wood bokuto of kabutowari form. Incredibly dense and as black as ink. If one was to seek a confrontation and the statute books prohibited the carrying of a blade (as was the case in Edo period Japan) – this is the bokuto to wield. The body has been 'roughed' it would appear in a rudimentary way with little regard in disguising this step of manufacture. However, the handle is carved with two elements which are atypical of the body (mushroom and dragon) upon which the maker has invested a considerable amount of time. The handle end has been split at some point in time, unusually, the split is held by a metal gourd staple.
The coiled dragon with a tama is in a manner, not dissimilar to the way some enthusiasts might associate with the likes of Sanko (Osaka connected 1781). In fact, I have retailed an Inro with remarkably similar dragons which was indeed Sanko-esque. This might sound fantastical, but it is worth mentioning, Minko and Tametaka both made Bokuto (netsuke-shi also recorded in the Soken Kisho) and these masters were likely contemporary to the time of Sanko.
The Geoff Dorey collection of Bokuto includes at least two specimens that were made for Osaka residents, thus the wearing of bokuto existed during the middle of the Edo period in Osaka.
Signed: 弌舟正理作. Ichifune Masamichi made.
弌 is the formal (archaic) character meaning "one" or "best" or even "foremost". 舟 means a "boat" or a "ship". It is an unusual name. Masamichi/Seiri, I could find no artist recorded with these characters.
51.2cm Long.
