I25073(T5563)
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Tanto signed YOSHISUKE(GISUKE) with) Burgundy lacquered Inro-style Notches scabbard Tanto Koshirae

Koto end Muromachi period (Tenbun era/1532-) Suruga
Length of cutting edge 22.5cm A bit on inner Curvature Width of base 22.5mm Thickness of base 5.6mm

NBTHK(Hozon) certificate

with) Burgundy lacquered Inro-style Notches scabbard Tanto Koshirae

Blade construction: Hira- zukuri Tanto,Iori-mune. Kasane is thick, a bit on inward curve and less swelling in Fukura area. Nagasa is moderately usual in proportion to the Mihaba and Nagasa that is assumed the geometry in end Muromachi due to new preferences in swordsmanship as a supplement usage for a long Katana.(click HERE for higher resolution image of the entire blade)
Forging(Hada): Forging is conspicuous Itame mixing with streaming Masame-hada on both Mune and boundary temper area. The surface shows moistened beauty of jet-black luster of Chikei along Masame and Itame-hada against fine sparkling whitish Utsuri reflection in full of an archaic beauty.
Temper(Hamon): Hamon forms with a bit on stronger side Nie hard metal granules base, undulating Gunome mixing with some indication of slanting Choji clove outline. Boundary line glows bright with brilliant darkish lines of Sunagashi and Kinsuji and the interior is filled with dense mist of Nioi.
Temper of tip(Boshi): Temper of Boshi form side view of Jizou stone stature then turns back deep to form Muneyaki.
Tang(Nakago): Nakago is in UBU original. Kurijiri (double-bevelled) heel shape. One peg hole.Higaki (crossing) filemarks. Back ridge of Nakago is round with O-sujikai (greatly stanting left) filemark. The signature in Omote is two large charactar GISUKE 儀助.

During battle age in Muromachi period, dagger style Tanto was designed on grappling battle occasion for stabbing purpose and had preference for mounting on it's right hand whereas long Katana was equipped on the left-hand side in swordmanship. The construction of no curve and tapering tip was reasonably designed for supreme sharp stabbing performance.

This Tanto siged as YOSHI-SUKE(儀助) - the first kanji YOSHI(儀) exceptionally adds a left-hand character "Ninben" イ whereas usual inscription signature is 義助 is without left-character "Ninben" イ. Assuming that the maker would be the same person or might be a follower in the same school. YOSHI-SUKE(義助) had worked for a daimyo Imagawa 今川 or Honjo 北条 during the age of rival warlords.

This prominent tanto is admired for the entire original shape and also an excellent quality of the legitimate Soushu as well as riging Mino technique nearly the passage of 450 years ago. Nakago holds splendid taste of patina that remains impressively clear chisel of inscription.

with) Burgundy lacquered Inro-style Notches scabbard Tanto Koshirae (click HERE in front, HERE in back and HERE for each fitting)
  • Fuchi : Crest of "Nine bamboo grass leaves in circle", Shakudo ground, Nanako-ji surface, Gold Iroe, signed Ishiguro MASACHIKA (seal) 石黒政近（花押）
  • Menuki : Crest of "Nine bamboo grass leaves in circle", Gold ground, Katabori carving
  • Kozuka : Waterfowl high seas design, Shakudo ground, Nanako-ji surface, Takabori carving, Silver Iroe, signed Goto Denjo (seal)後藤傳乗（花押）
  • Tsuba : Hamidashi oval shape, Yamagane copper grouond, polished surface, Shakudo Fukurin rim, unsigned
  • Tsuka : White ray skin, Gray Indigo-blue silk cord Kumiage wrap
Single layer silver foiled Habaki collar, preserved in a Shira-saya plain wood mounting.
Fresh polish/Condition scale: excellent - very good (using a scale of mint-excellent-very good-good-fair-poor)