AS24726 Tanto： Gassan Hayato Minamoto Sadakazu (Kao)(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Tanto in Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature: Gassan Hayato Minamoto Sadakazu (Kao)
Bunkyu 2 Nen 8 Gatsu Hi (August, 1862)
月山隼人源貞一(花押)
文久二年八月日　

Shinshinto: Jyojyo Saku: Settsu
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 Gassan Hayato Minamoto Sadakazu.
Habaki: Single-layer gold-covered
Blade Length: 27.1 cm (10.67 in)
Curvature: 0.0 cm (0.00 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.69 cm (1.06 in)
Thickness of Rim (Kasane): 0.6 cm (0.24 in)
Sword Weight: 210 grams
Era: Late Edo Period, around Bunkyu era (circa 1861–1864)
Shape: A broad blade with substantial thickness, in mitsumune style.
Jigane: Finely forged small itame-hada, densely packed.
Hamon: Gunome-midare in nioi-deki with active ashi. Boshi is round and returns.

Features:　Gassan Hayato Minamoto Sadakazu, born Yagorō, was the adopted son of Sadayoshi.
His art name was Unryushi.
He was appointed an Imperial Household Artist on April 4, 1906 (Meiji 39), and passed away at the age of 84 on July 8, 1918 (Taisho 7).
He began making swords at age 14 and also worked as a substitute smith for Sadayoshi.
In his early period, he made long blades with suguha hamon; in his later years, he made elaborate choji-midare hamon and decorative sword engravings.
He managed to survive the ban on sword production issued during the Meiji era by making swords under the names of other famous smiths.
After the ban was lifted, he resumed full-scale sword making.
As an Imperial Household Artist, his works were considered equivalent to today’s Living National Treasures.
The title included various fields such as painters, sculptors, metalworkers, ceramicists, lacquer artists, swordsmiths, and even photographers.
Appointees received an annual pension of 100 yen.
Notable figures like Hashimoto Gahō, Takamura Kōun, and Kanō Natsuo were also appointed.
In the field of swordsmithing, Gassan Sadakazu and Miyamoto Kanenori were selected.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: Oval-shaped, made of shibuichi base, engraved with a tiger motif.
Kaerizuno (Return Hook): Kurigata style, made of shakudō nanako-ji, engraved with a paulownia crest and decorated with gold color inlay.
Fuchikashira: Made of shakudō, decorated with gold-inlaid patterns.
Saya: Covered with ume-kawaha (plum bark), in excellent condition.
Kozuka: Made of suaka (refined copper), engraved with gourd and praying mantis motifs, decorated with gold inlay.
Menuki: Made of shakudō, engraved with lion motifs and highlighted with gold inlay.

Aoi Art’s Comment:　This is a tanto by Gassan Hayato Minamoto Sadakazu, accompanied by a beautifully crafted koshirae.
After the sword prohibition order was enacted in 1871 (Meiji 4), most swordsmiths were forced to quit their profession.
However, Sadakazu survived by replicating the styles of other smiths.
Through imitation, he honed his skills and became a master capable of producing excellent works in the styles of the Sōshū, Yamato, Bizen, Yamashiro, and Mino traditions.
He also excelled in sword engravings.
This piece showcases beautiful jigane and hamon.
Highly recommended and worthy of acquisition.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token Certificate
Aoi Art estimation paper: Whole Oshigata included