AS26348 Tanto：Kiyondo (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Ordering Number: AS26348

Tanto in Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature: Kiyondo
清人

Shinshinto: Jyo Saku: Musashi: Ansei
(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku).
This blade is ranked as Jyojyo Saku among the works of Kiyondo.
Habaki: Plain copper habaki with gold color.
Blade Length: 29.1 cm (11.46 in).
Curvature: None.
Mekugi Hole: 1.
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.48 cm (0.98 in).
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.58 cm (0.23 in).
Sword Weight: 200 g.
Era: Late Edo period.
Shape: A tanto in shobu-zukuri style.
Jigane: Well-forged ko-itame hada with clearly visible grain.
Hamon: Rounded gunome-midare. The boshi turns back with a pointed tip and a deep kaeri.

Features: This is a shobu-zukuri tanto by Kiyondo, a distinguished disciple of Kiyomaro. Kiyondo produced blades closely resembling those of his master, particularly in the boshi, where a lively midare pattern is frequently seen. He became Kiyomaro’s student through the introduction of Saito Masamaro and established his forge in Kanda, Edo. In Keio 3 (1867), he traveled to Kyoto in August and was granted the title Buzen no Kami. He later forged swords for retainers of the Shonai Domain in Dewa Province and, for a period, signed his works Kiyohito. He passed away on October 3, 1901. It is said that after Kiyomaro’s death, Kiyondo completed several dozen unfinished blades left by his master, reflecting his remarkable sincerity and devotion.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: Mokko-shaped iron tsuba with a high-relief dragon.
Fuchikashira: Decorated in silver.
Saya (Scabbard): Blue mother-of-pearl sprinkled saya with kojiri and kurikata; the remaining fittings are made of silver.
Menuki: Horse motif, executed in gold or highlighted with gold iroe.
Kozuka: Shakudo nanako ground depicting a boat and its boatman.

Historical Background: Genji 1 (1864) was one of the most turbulent years of the late Edo period. Major events included the Ikedaya Incident, the Kinmon Incident (Hamaguri Gate Rebellion), the Bombardment of Shimonoseki by the combined naval forces of Britain, the United States, France, and the Netherlands, and the First Choshu Expedition launched by the Tokugawa Shogunate. On June 5, 1864, the Shinsengumi raided the Ikedaya Inn in Kyoto, suppressing a gathering of imperial loyalists. Later that year, the Choshu Domain suffered a decisive defeat in the Kinmon Incident, marking a major turning point in the course of Japan’s transition from the Edo period to the modern era.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token.
AoiArt estimation paper: Whole Oshigata.
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Please note: the price does not include the shipping fees.