K13713(T3720)
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Tanto signed TOMOSHIGE with) Waist URUMI-nuri Burgundy lacquered Blue pearl of inlay Black stone surface Pipe-stripe code scabbard Tanto Koshirae

Koto on the latter half of Muromachi period (Meio era / circa 1492-) Kaga
Length of cutting edge27.5cm A bit on inward curve Width of base22.0mm Thickness of base4.7mm

NBTHK(Hozon) certificate

with) Waist URUMI-nuri Burgundy lacquered Blue pearl of inlay Black stone surface Pipe-stripe code scabbard Tanto Koshirae

Blade construction: Hira-zukuri Tanto, Iori-mune. Width on base is in average and the length of cutting edge is a bit on longer side in proportion to the width. A bit on inward curve where upper Fukura area is swelling. The entire shape creates classical grace of early 16th century.(click HERE for higher resolution image of the entire blade)
Forging(Hada): Forging is conspicuous streaming ITAME with burl of MOKUME-hada. The Masame marks mostly appears both along nearly boundary line and back ridge of Mune.
Temper(Hamon): Temper of fine Nie hard metal granules generates undulating Notare, box-like Hakoba, small Gunome, some fray of Hotsure-ha appears here and there. In the interior of temper is full of Nioi mist where works with islolated YOU, Gunome feel and thick lines of bright Kinsen.
Temper of tip(Boshi): Temper of tip is stronger the Nie dpper the Nioi, the front forms irregular Midarekomi sharpeded up indication turns back deeply whereas the other side being rushed down the Hiraji-surface "Nie-kuzure" tight ends on the ridge.
Tang(Nakago): Nakago is longer in proportion 107.3cm in UBU original. Horizontal KIRI file marks. One peg hole of Mekugiana. Unique single-bevelled heel shape so called "Ha-agari Katakezuri". Back ridge of Nakago is a bit countoured. The inscription signature is two character that reads TOMOSHIGE 友重.

The first generation TOMOSHIGE 友重 is said a son or disciple of RAIKUNITOSHI 来国俊 in Yamashiro. He moved to Fujishima 藤嶋 in Echizen and became the founder of the Fujishima 藤嶋 school. Along with SANEKAGE 真景 who was a disciple of NORISHIGE 則重, tow of them relocated to the neighboring province of Kaga.
During the Muromachi period, various schools such as the Fujishima school and the Hashizume school, as well as the Darani school flourished to accept the increasing demand from powerful Samurais.

The TOMOSHIGE 友重 lineage in Koto period continued through the second generation in the Jōji era, the third generation in the Ōei era, the fourth generation in the Bun'an and Kōshō eras, and the fifth generation in the Meio era, persisting until the early Edo period in the Shinto period.

The subject tanto TOMOSHIGE 友重 is judged as a work by the fifth generation during the Meio era (1492~). The tang construction of TOMOSHIGE 友重 from Koto period is a distinctive variation known as "Ha-agari Kata-kezuri nakago" or "Kashū-nakago" characterized by a unique Iriyamagata shape.

with) Waist URUMI-nuri Burgundy lacquered Blue pearl of inlay Black stone surface Pipe-stripe code scabbard Tanto Koshirae:
(click HERE for the Koshirae in front / HERE for the other side) (clikc HERE for each metal fitting)
  • Fuchi/Kashira : Seashell design, Shakudo groung, Stone surface. takabori carving, Gold Iroe, signed Oite-Geiyo Mansha Shoami MASATOMI-sei (seal) 於藝陽萬舎 正阿弥盛富制(花押)
  • Menuki : Puppy design, katabori carving, Gole Iroe
  • Tsuba : Provers on waves design, Yamagane copper ground, Sukisage carving, Shakudo Iroe, Gold drops inlay, unsigned
  • Kozuke : Seashell design, Shakudo ground, Nanako-ji surface, Takabori, Gold/Silver Iroe, Gold Hokin back plate, unsigned
  • Tsuka : White rayskin, Black silk cord lozenge wrap
Silver foiled Castle Stone-wall design carving Habaki collar, preserved in Shirasaya plain wood mounting
(note) An excellent artist MORITOMI 盛富 who belonged Shoami-school lived in Matsuyama, Iyo province (now Ehime pref.) There are some works dated Bunka 2 (1805) and Bunsei 2 (1819).
reference data :
Honma Kunzan/Ishii Masakuni, Nihonto Meikan, Yuzankaku, 1975
Wakayama Takeshi, Toso Kinko Jiten, Yuzankaku, 1996