T302101(T8620)
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Tanto signed Gassan Sadakazu-saku (carved seal) Early Autumn,the 4th year of Meiji with) Urumi transparent brown lacquered Maru-ni-ken Katabami crest Arabesque design Tanto Koshirae

Shin-shin-to Beginning of Meiji period (Meiji 4/1871) Settsu
Length of cutting edge 23.4cm Inward sprout curve Width of base24.9mm Thickness of base6.0mm

NBTHK(HOZON)certificate

with) Urumi transparent brown lacquered Maru-ni-ken Katabami crest Arabesque design Tanto Koshirae

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Blade construction: Hira-zukuri Tanto, Iori-mune, Thick in Kasane and Inward curvature. There is Hatahoko(Cross-Shaped Spear with Flag) in front and Parallel grooves with a pair of KUWA (hoe) carvings.
(click HERE for higher resolution image of the entire blade).
Forging(Hada): Kitae-hada is precisely delicate Itame-dada, Combination of both sparkling silver steel and darkish Nie-lines so called Chikei generates striking Masame well-ordered layered stripes.
Temper(Hamon): Hamon is strong Nie based, rather Nie sparkling glitter attaches,Wavy Notare based with a Gunome. Deep in Nioi mist in the interior where works with frequent Sunagashi stream and temper edge shows long Kinsen and Ayasugi-style zigzag Inazuma indication and Hotsure fray. The entire temper gives off sparkling brilliance vividly.
Temper of tip(Boshi): Temper of Boshi is flame sharped up with Hakikake blushing indication then deeply turns back.
Tang(Nakago): Nakago is in UBU original. One peg hole. O-Sujikai (greatly slanting left) with Kesho (horizontal) filemarks. The signature in front is Gassan Sadakazu saku (carved seal) and the reversed side is chiselled the dating Early Autumn, the 4th year of Meiji (1871).
Gassan Sadakazu 『月山貞一』, his original name was Yagoro 『弥五郎』, a son of Tsukamoto Shichibei 『塚本七兵衛』was born the 2nd month, Tenpo 7 (1836) in Oumi domain. He was adopted by the sword smith Gassan Sadayoshi 『月山貞吉』 when he was 7th year old and learned sword-making from him. It is understood that he made Fudo-Myoou carving on Sadayoshi's wakizashi when he was 16 years old.
He focused on the sublimation of ancient Gassan tradition "Ayasugi-style forging" into refined well-forging style with frosty Ji-nie, also he was an epoch-making master at sword-carving.
On after the Sword Abolishment Edict 『廃刀令, Haitōrei』(1876), while most of sword makers had given up hope of sword-makings, Sadakazu strived for sword-making, finally was contacted to work for Imperial House of Japan to make Katanas and Tantos for Imperial Families, and in Meiji 39 (1906) he was designated as the Important Intangible Cultural Property by the Ministry of the Imperial Household 『帝室技芸員』 for his contribution of over 60 years of sword-making. Passed away Taisho 7, (1918) was 84 years old.
This dagger dating Meiji 4, (1871) is the work when he was 35 years old. This tanto holds massive volume with thick Kasane. Use of proper choice for fine steel generates the beauty of Masame interweave of steel in different nature. In view of interior of temper, there is Inazuma darkish Nie-lines with Ayasugi-indication with other Kinsen darkish lines. The Hiraji is carved with Hatahoko 『旗鉾』 - lucky charm as the result of divine protection. The reversed side is Parallel grooves with a pair of KUWA (hoe) carvings.

Urumi transparent brown lacquered Maru-ni-ken Katabami crest Arabesque design Tanto Koshirae consists of :
  • Fuchi/Kashira, Kojiri and Kozuka : Maru-ni-ken Katabami crest Arabesque design. Shibuichi copper alloy ground, polish surface, katagiri-style carving, Kozuka signed Ōoka MASATSUGU (seal) 大岡政次（花押）
  • Hilt of Tsuka : White layskin, gray indigo-blue silk cord logenze wrap
  • Menuki : KIKU flower design, copper ground, Yobori carving, gold Iroe

Gold foiled Habaki collar, preserved in a Shira-saya plain wood mounting.