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Rare Toribuki no Tachi with mythological bird handle and an edo era blade.
A Most Impressive Ho-oh Bird Kuge (Yefu) No Tachi in Jindachi-Zukuri mounts
A phoenix hilted Japanese tachi. As seen in the Emperor's Court. The phoenix was known as a Ho-oh bird in China and Japan. This sword is a variation of the efu tachi and were carried as court swords during many periods of Japanese history, and they continued to be made as presentation swords into the Showa era. Efu tachi, also called Hoso tachi, were likewise only worn by the highest ranking daimyo and officials of the court. Efu tachi have a distinctive shitogi tsuba. These are generally considered ceremonial mountings rather than combat mountings. Efu (Hoso) tachi were made from Koto through Showa times. This sword was made in 18th century and has a shortened blade.
The Phoenix design was originally carried by the commander of the Palace guards and Efu means to protect the Imperial house.
The legendary Ho-oh Bird has been used throughout Japanese history, even by the Tokugawas. The sword has a Shitogi Tsuba, Fuchi, Kabuto-Gane of Ho-oh bird (10 in.), 2-piece Seppa (Rope & Scallop) and applied Tawara-Pyo (5 Rice Barrels).
It was made as either a presentation/ceremonial piece of holiness and authority. In fact, two "Kokubo" (National Treasure) Bird's-Heads Tachi's remain unaccounted for after the post WWII occupation by American forces. The phoenix is a mythical Chinese bird, thought to have been introduced to Japan in the Asuka period (mid 6th to mid 7th century AD). The phoenix has a bird's beak, a swallow's jaw, and a snake's neck; the front half of its body is thought to resemble a giraffe, the back half a deer. Its back resembles a tortoise, and its tail is like a fish.
Swords with this type of mountings are very rare and usually worn by important persons more for ceremonial purposes than actual useage in battle.
It was the custom of Shogun, daimyo, emperor and important persons to present rare swords mounted in this kind of bird furniture to Shrines that they frequent as form of gratitude for battle success or any other special occasion. These swords are mostly classified as Important Art Object or even National Treasure.
This sword was presented to a temple in 1920 and taken forcefully by some rogue GI defying the order from General MacArthur that all swords classified as National Treasures and Important Art Objects were not to be removed from the rightful owners. Most of these swords were taken back to the US and sold by the GIs to museum and second hand stores with some rusting away in some attic and basement.
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Price : NOT FOR SALE