Ordering Number: 23626(Consignment Sale)
Tanto in Shirasaya with Koshirae(36th NBTHK Juyo Token)
Signature: Kunimitsu(Shintogo) (新藤五国光)
Sayagaki: Shintogo Kunimitsu
Onin era, blade length is 8sun 1bu
Omote side, Ken is engraved. Ura side, Hashi Renka is engraved.
Written by Honnami Koson in new year 1942.
Our company categorizes swords based on their craftsmanship as top-notch, excellent, high-quality, and standard. This sword is classified as a top-notch work.
Habaki : Solid Gold Habaki. Weight of 20 grams
Blade Length: 8 sun 1 bu 5 rin (approximately 24.7 centimeters)
Curvature: Sun
Peg Holes: 2
Motohaba (Width at Base): 2.28 centimeters
Sakihaba (Width at Tip): Sun
Kasane (Thickness): 0.54 centimeters
Total Sword Weight: 130 grams
Era: Kamakura period, Eikin 1293 (Late to Early Kamakura period)
Shape: As a Kunimitsu work, it has a solid and well-constructed shape with a plain front and a Hiramaki (flat) back. The back features a sesame seed rim and a lotus pedestal. It has a nakago (tang) , and the omote side has a bold and clear inscription.
Jihada (Grain): The hada pattern consists of itame (wood grain) mixed with mokume
hada (burl pattern), with well-forged and prominent hadajiri (steel pattern). The jigane
(ground steel) displays a well-defined and attractive jigane hada pattern.
Hamon (Temper Line): It features a narrow straight temper line with small nie (martensite crystals) visible throughout. The boshi (temper pattern at the point) appears as a
yakitsume (notch).
Hataraki (Activity): Near the monouchi (blade edge) area, you can observe gold lines known as “Oyaji no hige”(an oldman ’s mauthtache) appearing on both the hamon and
the ji. These Kinsuji resemble mustaches and are typically seen within the hamon, but in
this case, they are clearly visible within the jigane as well.
Special Features: This Tanto was made by Shintogo Kunimitsu, two Kanji character.
The oldest Shintogo is from the Eijin era, and its children include Kunihiro, Kuniyasu, and Kunishige.
Accoring to one theory, they were later named Kunimitsu.
First of all, it is distinctive that the signature is clearly visible.
The Kinsuji well on the Suguha Hamon which is the specialty of Kunimitsu.
In the Jigane thare are many Chikei and bright.
Koshirae:
Kozuka: Shakudo Nanako plate, three Shishi dogs are engraved with gold color.
Kogatana: signature is Kiyofusa.
Saya (Scabbard): Black lacquered saya.
Menuki: It might be a solid gold lion-shaped menuki.
An exquisite work of art.
Frome Aoi Art: This work is featured in the Japanese Sword Dictionary (Koto Hen)
under ancient swords, page 337. When you look at this work, you may notice the
distinctive “Oyaji no hige”(a old man’s moustache ) gold lines, which are quite
fascinating. The intensity of its activity, with numerous gold lines and prominent jigane
hada, is truly remarkable. Among short sword makers, Shintou Go Kokumitsu is
considered to have fully showcased the excellence of the Sagami tradition, particularly
with its bold gold lines and rich jigane hada. This is a rare ancient sword, and it is
featured in the Japanese Sword Dictionary (Koto Hen) on page 337. We highly recommend this piece.
36th NBTHK Juyo Token
Aoi Art estimation paper
Whole Oshigata
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