AS25061 Tanto:Mumei (Monju Shigekuni)(NBTHK Hozon Token)

Tanto: Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Hozon Token)

Signature: Mumei (Monju Shigekuni)
無銘(文殊重国)

We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This piece is ranked as Jyo Saku among unsigned works attributed to Monju Shigekuni.
Habaki: Single-layered gold-plated habaki
Blade Length: 25.5 cm (10.04 in)
Curvature: 0.0 cm (0.00 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.74 cm (1.08 in)
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.59 cm (0.23 in)
Sword Weight: 205 grams
Era: Early Edo period, around the Meireki era (1655–1658)
Shape: A refined shape with katakiri-ba and mitsumune.
A deep curve and groove are carved on the front, with double grooves on the back.
Jigane: Masame-hada, well-forged and of high quality.
Hamon: Nie-deki, mainly suguha with some notare mixed in.
The boshi is round, with double temper lines and returns in a rounded manner.

Features:　The Monju school descended from the Yamato Tegai tradition and continued into the Edo period (up to the 11th generation).
Among Shinto swordsmiths, the most famous is Nanki Shigekuni.
The second generation took the name Monju Shigekuni and demonstrated outstanding skill.
Many of his works are of high quality and are favored by many experts.

Aoi Art’s Comment:
This piece shows a well-forged jigane and is likely made by the second or third generation.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: Integrated tsuba with seppa
Kozuka: Shakudo nanako ground with a dragon motif carved in suaka (bare copper)
Fuchikashira: Shakudo ground with high-relief carving of a narrative scene, decorated in gold, silver, and copper
Saya (Scabbard): Ishimeji (stone surface) saya
Menuki: Shakudo nanako ground with plant motifs, decorated in gold
Kozuka Knife: Shakudo nanako ground with a dragon motif, decorated in gold

NBTHK Hozon Token
Aoi Art estimation paper: Whole Oshigata