AS25272 Tanto: Kanefusa (NBTHK Hozon Token)Kanefusa

Tanto: Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Hozon Token)

Signature: Kanefusa
兼房

Sayagaki: Nōshū Kanefusa
Length: 9 sun 5 bu (approx. 28.8 cm)
Price: 20 mai
April, 1898
Hon’ami Choshiki

We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This piece is ranked as Jyojyo Saku for the works of Kanefusa.
Habaki: Single-layered gold-covered
Blade Length: 28.9 cm (11.38 in)
Curvature: 0 cm (0.00 in)
Mekugi Hole: 2
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.66 cm (1.05 in)
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.61 cm (0.24 in)
Sword Weight: 215 grams
Era: Late Muromachi period
Shape: A slightly large tanto with ample width and thick kasane.
Jigane: Well-forged ko-itame hada with a dark tone.
Hamon: Nie-deki, continuous gunome-midare, becoming rounded with deep turn-back towards the tip.

Features: Kanefusa is a renowned swordsmith from Mino with excellent workmanship.
Hon’ami Naganori, who wrote the sayagaki, was a well-known sword appraiser of the Meiji period and regarded as a highly discerning expert.

Koshirae: Aikuchi-style mounting
Fuchikashira / Kojiri / Kurigata: All in silver, decorated with wave motifs
Saya: Finely carved and lacquered in black, of excellent quality
Menuki: Crane motif
Kozuka: Shakudo nanako ground with a raised carving of cranes, color-accented in gold
Tsuka-ito is believed to be made of whale baleen

Aoi Art’s Comment: The koshirae is also an excellent piece, highly recommended.

NBTHK Hozon Token certificate
Aoi Art estimation paper: Whole Oshigata