G6310(T3722)
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Double-Edged Tantō signed Bizen-koku-ju Osafune SUKESADA saku An Auspicious Day in the 8th month, Daiei 5th

Late Muromachi period (Daiei 5th/1525) Bizen
Length of cutting edge 20.3cm Width of base 23.3mm Thickness of base 7.0mm

Tokubetsu Hozon Tōken certificate

with) Brown lacquered Tezsuna-kizami scabbard Aikuchi Tantō koshirae

Hozon Tōsōgu fitting certificate


Blade construction: A double-edged Tantō (Ryōba-zukuri). The blade length is 6 sun 7 bu (approx. 20.3 cm), a moderate size for a Tantō. The form emphasizes thrusting with a less swelling in upper Fukura. (Enlarged photo of blade)
Jigane (Forging pattern): A robust forging with prominently standing Itame-hada (wood grain pattern), featuring fine sparkling Ji-nie and visible Chikei in the steel.
Hamon (Temper line): The Hamon starts just above both Machi with a relatively short Yakidashi, developing into a high-set temper of wide Gunome with open valleys, interspersed with Hakoba (box-shaped patterns), complex Gunome, and pointed elements. The Yakiba displays coarse Nie clinging to the Ha, with Tobiyaki (scattered temper spots), Sunagashi, and active Nie-suji throughout—creating an overall Hitatsura (full temper) appearance.
Bōshi (Tip temper): A violently sweeping and irregular pattern continuing from the Hamon.
Nakago (Tang): Ubu (unaltered), with one Mekugi-ana (peg hole). The Kurijiri (rounded tang tip) is slightly flared. The Nakago is relatively long in proportion to the blade, with shallow katte-sagari file marks. On the front (right side of the shinogiji) is the long signature “Bizen no Kuni jū Osafune Sukesada saku” 備前国住長船祐定作. On the reverse (left side of the shinogiji) is the date of year inscription “Daiei go-nen Hachigatsu Kichijitsu” An Auspicious Day in the 8th month Daiei 5th ( 1525) 大永五年八月吉日. The inscriptions are carved with great formality and sincerity.

This Ryōba-zukuri Tantō, while lacking a specific Zokumyō (common name), exhibits the hallmark features of Yosōzaemon-no-Jō Sukesada 与三左衛門尉祐定, one of the most celebrated smiths among those referred to as "Eishō Bizen." The work bears the typical characteristics and inscriptional style attributed to him, making it a fine example.

Tantō from the Eishō era (late Muromachi period) often have short lengths, slight Uchizori (inward curvature), or are forged in the double-edged style. Many examples also feature relatively long Nakago in proportion to the blade, suggesting a design primarily intended for thrusting—commonly referred to as Yoroi-dōshi (armor piercers). These blades tend to exhibit robust forging and a wide variety of temper lines, including Suguha (straight hamon), complex Gunome, and even Hitatsura, reflecting the smiths’ pursuit of artistic expression through the blade’s visual appearance.

There are more than sixty known smiths using the name Sukesada 祐定 during the late Bizen period, each with different Zokumyō. Among them, the most highly regarded is undoubtedly Yosōzaemon-no-Jō Sukesada, considered a Sue-kotō Saijō-saku (highest-ranking smith of the late old sword period).
There are two generally accepted generations of this Sukesada. His real name was Nakagawa Yosōzaemon-no-Jō 中川与三左衛門尉. Blades bearing inscriptions such as “Tenbun 4, age 69” and “Tenbun 6, age 71” suggest he was born in 1477 (Bunmei 9). Some early works lack the Zokumyō, and his dated blades span from the Eishō to Tenbun periods (1504-54).

This particular blade displays strong Itame-hada, fine Ji-nie, and active Chikei. The Hamon shows open Gunome mixed with small Gunome, pointed elements, Ashi, Yō, coarse Nie, Sunagashi, Kinsuji, and Tobiyaki, leading to a Hitatsura-like effect. Both the forging and tempering are intense, with a bright and clear Nioiguchi - making this an exceptional work among his oeuvre. The calligraphic style of the signature is bold and vigorous and the patina of the tang, developed over five centuries, is truly excellent and it is evident that this Tanto and Koshirae have been treasured and kept in secret over many generations.

This double-edged Tantō exemplifies the superior craftsmanship of Sukesada during the Eishō - Daiei period. The accompanying Brown lacquered Handgrip carving pattern Aikuchi mounting dating from the late Edo period, is a refined and quite rare complete set, both externally and internally in excellent condition. (Enlarged photos of FRONT / BACK of the Koshirae)

Gold-foiled Koshi-yūjō style Habaki, preserved in Shirasaya (plain wooden storage scabbard)

references:
Masakuni Ishii & Kanzan Honma, Nihontō Meikan, Yuzankaku, Shōwa 50 (1975)
Osafune Chōshi (History of Osafune Town), Osafune Town History Compilation Committee, Ōtsuka Kōgeisha, Heisei 10 (1998)