AS26065 Tanto: Soshu ju Masahiro (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Ordering Number: AS26065

Tanto in Shirasaya (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature: Soshu ju Masahiro
相州住正廣

(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku).
This work is ranked as Jyojyo Saku for Soshu ju Masahiro.
Habaki: Wooden habaki (integrated with the hilt)
Blade Length: 50.15 cm (19.74 in)
Curvature: 1.515 cm (0.60 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.99 cm (1.18 in)
Width at Tip: 1.85 cm (0.73 in)
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.61 cm (0.24 in)
Sword Weight: 435 g
Era: Early Muromachi period (1336–1573)
Shape: Standard width with relatively thick kasane, slightly deep curvature, and a slightly extended kissaki, forming a well-proportioned shape.
Jigane: Fine ko-itame well packed with chikei, showing a hitatsura-style appearance.
Hamon: Nie-based gunome-midare with a soft nioiguchi. The hamon appears also on the shinogi-ji, overall forming a hitatsura style. Strong nie activity is present toward the kissaki with a deep turn-back.

Features: Soshu ju Masahiro was a swordsmith of Sagami, active from the Nanbokucho period into the Muromachi period, continuing his work until around the Eiroku era (1558–1570).
This work features extensive carvings on the blade and a soft hitatsura temper.

Aoi Art’s Comment: On the omote side are carved a bonji (Sanskrit character), ken, and dokko; on the ura side are a bonji and futasuji-hi grooves. There are some very fine grain openings near the kissaki, but they are not of concern. The soft hamon and the brilliant pattern spreading into the shinogi-ji are उत्कृष्ट. It is likely that the blade was carefully preserved, as it has only one mekugi hole.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token
AoiArt estimation paper
Whole Oshigata