AS21746 Tanto:Sanryu Masamine Saku Kore Nukata Ke Judai(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Ordering number: AS21746
Tanto in Shirasaya(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature : Sanryu Masamine Saku Kore Nukata Ke Judai
Hinoto U 8 Gatsu Hi Keigai Sho Senju Kore
傘笠正峯作之額田家重代　　

(translation: This blade was made by Sanryu Masamine. Family treasure of Nukata family. Senju engraved carigraphy by Nukata Kaigai. Made in August in 1987.)
Aoi Bijyutsu Syoshin Kanteisyo :Tokubetsu Hozon sword museum.
(We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo saku, Jyojyo saku Jyo saku and regular saku)
This sword belongs to Jyo-jyo saku ranking.
The blade was polished.
Sayagaki: Made by Sumitani Masamine, Living National Treasure designated by Japanese government
habaki: Solid gold Habaki(not 24G) 45g
Blade length : 28.4cm or 11.18inches.
Sori : 0.2cm or 0.07inches.
Mekugi: 1
Width at the hamachi: 2.9cm or 1.14inches.
Kasane: 0.51 cm or 0.20inches.
The weight of the sword: 205grams
Era : Modern Times. Showa 62, 1987.
Shape : The blade is broad and thick, Mitsu-Mune. Sori is 0.2cm. Well-shaped. Senju engraved the blade beautifully.
Jigane : Koitamehada is dense and beautiful.
Hamon : Niedeki Gunomemidare with deep Nioikuchi. Boshi is sharp Hakikake and turns back deeply.

Special feature: Sanryu Masamine is a swordsmith designated as Living National Treasure, and his real name is Sumitani Yoichiro. He was born in Ishikawa prefecture in 1921. He get interested in sword making and entered Ritsumeikan University, Department of Mechanical Engineering in Faculty of Science and Engineering, and he started to train making swords in Ritsumeikan Nihonto Tanrenjo(forging place). After WW2, it was prohibited to make swords but after it was allowed to make with permission in 1953, he restarted making swords. In 1955, his work was selected to the 1st Sword-making Skill Exhibition, and after that he exhibited his works to every Exhibitions and got Excellence Award for 4 times, and won Special Prize once. In 1967, he was approved as Mukansa swordsmith, and finally in 1981, he was designated as Living National Treasure. He was good at Choji midare with Utsuri in Jigane. His Chojimidare was called “Sumitani Choji”, and looks really unique. He passed away in 1998.

From Aoi Art: This work was made 6 years after he was designated as Living National Treasure. Senju’s engraving is really beautiful.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token
Aoi Art estimation paper: Whole Oshigata