Ordering number:AS24112

Tanto in Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Hozon Token)

Mei (Signature): Yoshimitsu
吉光

We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This work is ranked as Jyo Saku for Yoshimitsu.
Polished
Habaki: Plain Copper
Blade Length: 22.0 cm (8.66 in)
Curvature: 0.0 cm (0.0 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base: 1.79 cm (0.70 in)
Thickness: 0.71 cm (0.28 in)
Sword Weight: 105 grams
Era: Late Muromachi Period, around the Daiei era (1521-1528)
Shape: This tanto features a long nakago and a thick blade, with a bo-hi carved on both the omote and ura sides.
Jigane: The itame-hada grain is well-forged, resulting in a distinct texture.
Hamon: The hamon is a straight suguha made with nie, with a double hamon and a deep nioiguchi. The boshi is round with a slight hakikake.

Features: This piece is attributed to Tosa Yoshimitsu, a lineage that started in the Kamakura period and continued until the Daiei era of the Muromachi period. Given the manufacturing period, this work is likely from around the Daiei era. Some sword enthusiasts may confuse Tosa Yoshimitsu with Yamashiro Yoshimitsu, but the periods and characteristics differ significantly. Tosa Yoshimitsu works are typically thicker in the blade. In contrast, Yamashiro Yoshimitsu’s signatures are larger and more prominent, with many of their works featuring a suguha hamon with gunome midare near the hamachi.

Koshirae: This koshirae is a Navy style koshirae, typically worn by high-ranking officers of lieutenant class or higher. The fact that this tanto by Yoshimitsu was found in such a koshirae suggests it belonged to an officer of that rank, who was eligible to command submarines or destroyers. The condition is excellent, making this a highly recommended piece.
Saya: Black samegawa (ray skin) with umekawagata (plum flower pattern).

Aoi Art’s Comment: This is a nearly armor-piercing thickness tanto, paired with a naval koshirae. The koshirae is in excellent condition, and the blade is believed to be from the Daiei era of the Muromachi period.

NBTHK Hozon Token
Aoi Art’s Certificate
Whole Oshigata

Auction Starting Price:300,000 JPY-.

Related Items:

Tanto:Mumei (attributed to Shimada Sukemune)(NBTHK Hozon Token) Wakizashi (Sunnobi Tanto) : Sakuyo Gohara Ju Nobushige(March 1859)(NBTHK Hozon Token) Tanto：Rai Kunitoshi(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)(Koshirae: NBTHK Hozon Tosogu) Tanto:Bishu Osafune Harumitsu(Juro Zaemon Jo)(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token) Tanto:Echigo no Kami Fujiwara Kunitomo(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token) Tanto: Sukenobu(Yokoyama Sukenobu)(NBTHK Hozon Token)