AS25300 Tanto: Teishitsu Gigeiin Sugawara Kanenori(NBTHK Hozon Token)

Tanto: in Shirasaya, with Koshirae (NBTHK Hozon Token)

Signature: Teishitsu Gigeiin Sugawara Kanenori,
made at the age of 84
Taisho 2 Nen 2 Gatsu Kichijitsu (A lucky day in February, 1913)
Made for Viscount Cho Jucho
帝室技藝員菅原包則八十四翁作
大正二年二月吉日
為子爵趙重應代

We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This work is ranked as Jyo Saku among the works of Sugawara Kanenori.
Habaki: Single-layered silver
Blade Length: 21.9 cm (8.62 in)
Curvature: 0.0 cm (0.00 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.15 cm (0.85 in)
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.49 cm (0.19 in)
Sword Weight: 130 g
Era: A lucky day in February, 1913
Shape: Shobu-zukuri (Iris leaf shape)
Jigane: Well-forged Itame-hada with prominent Ji-nie.
Hamon: Nie-deki with small gunome-midare.

Features: This is a work by Kanenori Miyamoto, a Teishitsu Gigeiin (Imperial Household Artist), made at the age of 84.
The Ji-nie remaining on the reverse side is particularly astonishing.

Koshirae:
Saya (Scabbard): Vermilion lacquered saya.
Menuki: Family crest engraved on a circular shakudo nanako base.
Kozuka: A scene depicting a lone bird, believed to be a wild goose, flying near a tree by a lake, on a shibuichi base.

Aoi Art’s Comment: What amazed me was how, at such an advanced age, he was able to produce Ji-nie of this quality.
His passion and dedication are truly inspiring.
After the prohibition of Japanese sword possession in 1871, most swordsmiths were forced to give up their craft.
For a long time, sword production was nearly impossible.
However, Tsukiyama Sadakazu and Sugawara Kanenori were later selected as Teishitsu Gigeiin (Imperial Household Artists), which is equivalent to today’s “Living National Treasure”.
It is speculated that they may have continued making swords in secret during the prohibition.
It is said that Tsukiyama Sadakazu even made and sold forgeries of famous swordsmiths.
In any case, once the laws banning sword possession were lifted, many craftsmen began making swords again.
But only two — Tsukiyama Sadakazu and Sugawara Kanenori — were appointed as Imperial Household Artists for Japanese swords.

NBTHK Hozon Token Certificate
Aoi Art estimation paper: Whole Oshigata
*Please note: The price does not include shipping fees.