Bidspirit auction | Yari Spear, Choshu-ju Nio Masakiyo,

Yari Spear, Choshu-ju Nio Masakiyo, Japanese Metalwork, Edo Period - Sankaku Yari signed Choshu-ju Nio Masakiyo Nagasa 9.6cm Sori 0.0cm Hole 2 [Country]Nagato (Yamaguchi-ken) [Jidai Period] Early Edo era 17th Century [Jigane] Flowing Itame-hada [Hamon] Suguha with Niju-ba Ref. JG092505 Masakiyo Hosei's period of activity dates to the early Edo period, around the Kanbun era, which marked the height of the Nio school representing Choshu (present-day Yamaguchi Prefecture). There is an old tale that during the Kamakura period, when the Nio Gate was damaged by fire and the guardian deities (Nio) were left bound by chains and unable to escape, a famous sword made by Kiyotsuna, who is regarded as the founder of the Nio school, was used to cut through the chains and rescue them. After this event, Kiyotsuna is said to have taken the name ”Nio Kiyotsuna, ” which is believed to be the origin of the Nio school's signature. Many students of this lineage are known for using the character ”Kiyo” in their names. They were swordsmiths of the historic Yamato tradition, active over a long period spanning from the Kamakura era through the Edo era.