Y13167(T5017)
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Tanto singed NAOYOSHI In the 1st month, Bunsei 4th

Shin-shin-to latter half of Edo period (Bunsei 4th/1821) Bushu/Owari/Mikawa
Length of cutting edge 27.4cm No curvature Width of base 27.7mm Thickness of base 7.7mm

NBTHK(Hozon) certificate


Blade construction: Tanto with a blade length of 9 sun (approximately 27 cm), Hirazukuri construction and Iorimune ridge. Broad in Mihaba, thick in Kasane and no curvature, giving it a robust appearance and weight heavy in hand (253grams w/o Habaki). The overall shape is balanced and well-proportioned. (Photo of the blade in close-up)
Forging (Hada): The forging shows a tight Ko-itame (small wood-grain) pattern with a sparkling coating of Ji-nie. The steel features sparkling Chikei creating a beautiful surface.
Hamon (Temper Line): A wide, straight Hamon with subtle irregularities (komidare) and a distinct, slightly tightened Nioi-guchi (temper boundary line border).
Kissaki (Tip): The front features a rounded Chu-maru tip, while the back has a larger rounded Ō-maru tip and its hardened edge extends deeply along the back ridge of Mune.
Nakago (Tang): The tang is original (ubu), with one Mekugi-ana (peg hole). The heel forms rounded Kurijiri shape and features decorative Kesho-yasuri (file marks) in a greatly slanting left filemark pattern (Ō-sujikai). Similar marks are also present on the spine (Mune-yasuri). The tang bears the two-character signature "直吉" NAOYOSHI on the front and the date of inscription "文政四年正月日" (Bunsei 4, First Month) indicating the date of manufacturing on the other side.

NAOYOSHI　直吉 was a legitimate son of Mishina Naomichi 三品直道, born with the childhood name Naojiro 直次郎. He was also known as smith name Naoyoshi 直義 in different character. A disciple of In'shu Toshizane 因州寿実, he initially resided in Nezu, Edo and signed his works as "Mishina Jurō Naokichi"三品十郎直吉 or similar variations.

On the 17th day, in the 10th month Bunsei 2nd (1819), he was appointed as an one-generation swordsmith for the Owari Tokugawa clan, receiving a stipend of 5 koku. In the 5th month of the same year, he changed his name to "Jurō" 十郎.
On the 23rd day, in the 1st month Tempō 3rd (1832), his stipend was increased by 2 koku, and he signed works as "Owari no Kuni Minru-shin NAOYOSHI" 尾張国眠龍心直吉.

Later, he became a disciple of Taikei Naotane 大慶直胤 and took the name Yamaguchi Tetsuyata or Taneyata 山口徹弥太、胤弥太, changing his signature to "Naoyoshi" 直義 in different character. Late in his life he served the Naito clan of the 20,000-koku Mikawa Koromo Domain (now Toyota City) and adopted the title "Seishinshi" 泉心子, signed as "Seishinshi Naoyoshi"泉心子直義.

For some examples of his works are :
"Owari no Kuni junin NAOYOSHI, In the 2nd month, Bunsei 11th 尾張国住人直吉　文政十一年二月日, preserved by the Owari Reimeikai.
"Mishina Minamoto NAOYOSHI, In the 2nd month Bunsei 3rd" 三品源直吉　文政三年二月日, held by the Inuyama Naruse family.

Iincludes an old original Yamagane copper Habaki. Preserved in a plain wooden scabbard (shirasaya), with an inscription Sayagaki by Dr.Sato Kanzan.
References:
Honma Kunzan and Ishii Masakuni, Nihontō Meikan (Swordsmith Directory), Yuzankaku, 1975.
Iwata Ato, Owari Tōkōfu (Owari Swordsmith Genealogy), Nagoya City Board of Education, 1984.