Description:
A TANTO IN KOSHIRAE
Japan, c. mid-Edo period (1615-1868)
The blade:
Hirazukuri with iori mune, the hamon is gunome to Notare with much nie. The tang is also flat with two mekugi-ana, the yasurime is sujikai and the tang tip is curved and slanted.
The mounting:
The oval-round iron tsuba with lotus leaves and two arched hitsu is signed Echizen ju KINAI saku, a master swordsmith from the Kinai school (c. 17th to 18th century). The bronze fuchi shows blossoms and insects with gilding, the kashira is smooth. The menuki show minogame under the tsuka-ito, the long-tailed longevity turtles. The saya is with silky roironuri, the texture is densely grained. The kozuka is missing.
NAGASA 23.2 cm
total LENGTH in koshirae 46.5 cm
Provenance: Hungarian private collection.
Condition: The blade is in very good condition with very minor blemishes on the surface. The lacquer of the saya shows signs of wear. The kozuka is missing.