S30227(T5957)
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Tanto unsigned attributed to a work of MASAIE (Ko-Mihara) with) Gold/silver stripes scabbard the billows patterns Aikuchi-style Koshirae

Koto Nanbokucho period (Enbun era circa 1356-67) Bingo
Length of cutting edge 27.4cm Curvature 0.2cm Width of base 28.0mm Thickness of base 4.5mm

NBTHK(Tokubetsu Hozon) certificate

with) Gold/silver stripes scabbard the billows patterns Aikuchi-style Koshirae

 

Blade construction (kengyo) : Hira-zuruki, Iori-mune. Mihaba is wide and less volume in Hiraniku and upper Fukura area swells in full. The entire shape is wide and heroically made. (click HERE for high resolution of the blade photograph)
Forging pattern (kitae hada) : Kitae hada is fine Mokume hada mixing in partial Itame-hada, quench side shows slight flowing hada ware. The entire hiraji is covered with fine ji-nie (hard metal granules over the surface) with delicate Chikei (darkish Nie lines) activity. Hiraji surface shows misty, whitish Utsuri line the Milkey Way reflection with classical grace.
Tempering pattern (hamon) : Hamon is fine Nie based Suguha straight. Temper quenching belt is covered with bright Nie hard metal granules. Temper starts with slight Notare wave indication on base, some indication of small irregular Gunome pattern with thick Nie-feet and floating dots of "YOU" activity works in the interior which is filled with misty Nioi. Upper the blade tighter the Nioi where HOTSURE fray appears.
Temper of tip (boshi) : Boshi is fairly profuse Nie based, straight with delicate activity of Hakikake brush indication, small circle turns back deeply.
Tang (Nakago) : Nakago is UBU original shape unsigned. Slanting left (Osujikai) file marks. Round heel shape. One Mekugi-ana peg hole.
Mihara schools in Bingo province, where had produced fine steel since Kamakura period, were strongly influenced by the powerful shrines in central Yamato therefore Mihara sword smiths had followed the typical Yamato school technique.
Those works from end Kamakura to Nanbokucho period is called "Ko-Mihara" 古三原 and the name of works during Muromachi period is "Mihara" 三原 respectively.
The first generation, founder MASAIE 正家 of Ko-Mihara school who was called Uemon-no-jo 右衛門尉 was active during Enbun (1356-67) period.
"Meibutsu O-Mihara" which was gold inlaid by Hon-Ami KOUTOKU 本阿弥光徳 - Important Cultural Property which had been transmitted from feudal lord Asano Yoshinaga 浅野幸長(1576 - 1613) is the most important posthumous work by MASAIE 正家 of this Tanto.
The subject Tanto is narrowed the worker of MASAIE 正家 from the lists of Ko-Mihara schools by Japanese Sword Preservation Society (NBTHK) and Tokubetsu Hozon certificate awarded.
The gold/silver stripes scabbard the billows patterns Aikuchi-style Koshirae consists of :
(click HERE for entire Koshirae / HERE for each metal fitting)
All metal fittings of Fuchi, Kashira, Kuchi-kanagu, Kurikata, Kawara and Kojiri : Silver ground gold plated, unsigned.
Kozuka : Silver ground, gold plated, unsigned.
Menuki : Dragon design. Yobori, gold plated.
Tsuka (hilt) : Black lacquered layskin, fumigated deerskin Tsumami-maki style lozenge wrap.
Gold foiled copper habaki. Preserved in Shira-Saya plain wood mounting.
Recent polish/Condition scale: excellent-very good (using a scale of mint-excellent-very good-good-fair-poor)