Ordering number:AS24106
Tanto in Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)
Signature: Gassan Sadayoshi
Bunkyu 3 Nen 2 Gatsu Hi (February 1863)
月山貞吉作
文久三年二月日
Category: Shinshinto
Quality: Jyo Saku (High quality) (Above average for Gassan Sadayoshi)
Polished
Gold-clad single Habaki
Blade Length: 25.8 cm (10.16 in)
Curvature: 0.0 cm (0 in)
Mekugi Hole: 2
Width at Base: 2.84 cm (1.12 in)
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.89 cm (0.35 in)
Sword Weight: 290 grams
Era: Edo period, Bunkyu 3 (February 1863)
Shape: The blade is wide and thick, resembling an armor-piercing design. It has a substantial and weighty form.
Jigane: Fine, tightly packed small Itame Hada (wood grain pattern) which is very well forged.
Hamon: The Hamon begins with small irregular patterns and transitions into larger, irregular patterns, with deep Nioiguchi and a small rounded Boshi (tip pattern) sweeping forward.
Features: Gassan Sadayoshi was a student of Suishinshi Masahide and went by the name of Yatsuhiro, residing in Osaka. He began his craftsmanship around the 6th year of Tenpo (1835) with records showing his activity from this time. At the age of 70 in the 3rd year of Meiji (1870), his son, Gassan Sadakazu, largely took over his work due to Sadayoshi’s old age. Sadayoshi’s work, particularly his later Sue-Bizen and Oei Bizen styles, was so skillful that it’s often indistinguishable from the classical works of those schools, thus his pieces are highly esteemed.
Koshirae:
Tsuba: None specified
Fuchikashira: Chestnut-shaped, small posterior and sharp corners typical for Tanto, all crafted from one piece; Shakudo Nanako base with gold and copper colorings.
Saya: Black lacquered scabbard.
Menuki: Shakudo base featuring high-relief carving of chrysanthemum flowers with gold coloring.
Kozuka: Assumed to be authentic, features high-relief chrysanthemum flowers with gold coloring on the same material.
Aoi Art’s Comment: Gassan Sadayoshi, a creator of the lineage including Gassan Sadaichi and Sadakatsu, utilized his exceptional skills to produce works particularly mimicking the Sue-Bizen and Oei Bizen traditions, creating some pieces that were nearly undetectable as modern fabrications. This piece, with its deep Nioiguchi and well-structured layering, and fully matching Koshirae, is highly recommended for acquisition.
NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token
Aoi Art Estimation Paper
Whole Oshigata
Auction Starting Price:950,000 JPY-.
The item was sold at the auction
