Ordering number: 21243
Tanto in Shirasaya(NBTHK Hozon Token)
Signature : Kasama Ikkansai Shigetsugu Niragu Ha Ou Takeuchi Mitsutada Ju
笠間一貫斉繁継淬刃 応竹内光忠需
(translation:Kasama Ikkansai Shigetsugu has tempered the blade for the demand from Takeuchi
Mitsutada.)
Tsukamoto Ikkansai Okimasa Kitae Kore Showa 13 Nen 2 Gatsu Hi.
塚本一貫斉起正鍛之 昭和十三年二月日
(translation: Tsukamoto Ikkansai Okimasa has forged it. February 1938)
(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo saku, Jyo-jyo saku, Jyo saku, and regular
saku)
This sword belongs to Jyo Jyo saku ranking.
The blade was polished.
Habaki: Wooden single habaki.
Blade length:24.8 cm or 9.76inches.
Sori: 0.0cm or 0.0inches.
Mekugi: 1
Width at the hamachi: 2.45 cm or 0.96inches.
Kasane: 0.55cm or 0.21inches.
The weight of the sword:185grams.
Era: Showa 13.
Shape: The blade is broad and thick. There is an engraving of plum blossoms on the
front.
Jigane: Niedeki Gunomemidare, elaborate Jigane.
Hamon: Gunomemidare with rough Nie
Special Feature: On this Tanto, Kasama Ikkansai Shigetsugu had done tempering and made the blade, and Tsukamoto Ikkansai Okimasa had forged it. Akimasa learned under Shigetsugu and was originally called Tsukamoto Shinpachi. He was ex Army Authorized Sword smith and got lots of awards at Shinsaku Nihonto Exhibition, such as Yushu Award, Special Award, Honorary President Award, Minister of the Navy Award, Prime
Minister Award, Minister of Education Best Award, The Army Saber Sechnology Sncouragement Institute Award, and Ise Temple Dedication Award. He learned sword-making by Shigetsugu and later got married with his daughter. He passed away in the Showa 33. His Jigane is especially great, and he had made a lot of works like Kiyomaro. Kasama Ikkansan Shigetsugu obtained the top rank of Japanese sword training place instructor of Imperial Academy’s art exhibition in Akasaka, Tokyo. He made swords for Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress. He was also great at engraving. He used square style Kanji for his Mei when he made swords as him, and when he made swords instead of somebody, he used cursive style Kanji for his Mei. He passed away on the 11th of March, Showa 40, at the age of 80.
From Aoi Art: It is a really rare work: Kasama Ikkansai Shigetsugu had made the blade, Tsukamoto Ikkansai Okimasa had forged the it. Kasama Ikkansai Shigetsugu made the plum blossoms engraving. We truly recommend this beautiful Tanto with Gunomimidare Hamon, deep Sori, and beautiful engraving.
NBTHK Hozon Token
Aoi Art estimation paper: whole Oshigata.