Tanto signed TSUNEIE with) Black stone surface lacquered sheath tanto Koshirae
Koto End of Nanbokucho period (Ouan era/about 640 years ago) Bizen
Length of cutting edge26.7cm Uchizori curve Thickness of base6.0mm Width of base24.7mm
NBTHK(HOZON)
with) Black stone surface lacquered sheath tanto Koshirae
Blade construction: Hira-zukuri tanto, Iori-mune, Mihaba is in average and blade is long. There is Uchizori curve and Fukura in full.
Forging(Hada): Mokume burl pattern mixing with entwined flowing Itame partly with Chikei activity. There is UTSURI reflect activity stands out on Hira-ji.
Temper(Hamon): Hamon is shallow Notare with some joint-gunome. There is Niju-ha double temper indication from base to tip. The entire blade is tasteful and filled in with old atmosphere.
Tang(Nakago): Nakago is in UBU original. One peg hole. Kurijiri round heel shape and Kattesagari slanted left filemarks.
Temper of tip (Boshi): Boshi is straight with medium circle a little deeply turns back.
This tanto is a superb work either by 1st smith TSUNEIKE or early work of 2nd generation. In compare with works of previous generations in Osafune school, the shape of tanto became smart and intelligent. Forging pattern is so called [Ouei Moku] which is conspicuous and noticeable. Since mekugiana peg hole was bored through by a chisel, the subject tanto would be judged as first generation before Ouei era. (It is understood that the hole had been drilled through on after Ouei era early 15th C.)
Attached koshirae consists of Fuchi/kashira : Oborogin (silver/copper alloy) polish ground/heron marsh overgrown with reed, Menuki : spool design silver ground, shakudo/gold iroe, Tsuba : Copper ground gold arabesque inlay/shakudo fukurin rim, Kozuka/Kogai : Copper suaka polish ground.
Gold rock ledge foiled habaki collar, Shira-saya plain wood mounting.
