AS23396 Tanto:Mumei (attributed to Ko-Kongobei)(NBTHK Hozon Token)

Tanto in Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Hozon Token)

Signature: Mumei (attributed to Ko-Kongobei)
無銘(古金剛兵衛)

We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This work is ranked as Jyo Saku among unsigned blades attributed to Ko-Kongobei.
Habaki: Double-layered habaki (possibly solid gold).
Blade Length: 21.9 cm (8.62 in).
Curvature: 0.0 cm (0.00 in).
Mekugi Hole: 2.
Width at Base (Motohaba): 1.96 cm (0.77 in).
Thickness of rim (Kasane): 0.46 cm (0.18 in).
Sword Weight: 95 g.
Era: From the late Kamakura period to the Nanbokucho period.
Shape: A refined tanto with a long nakago and mitsumune.
Jigane: Itame-hada mixed with mokume-hada, well-forged with fine ji-nie, forming a superior jigane.
Hamon: Nie-deki with a suguha base mixed with gunome-midare and a faint utsuri appearing.

Features:　Kongobei was a swordsmith from Chikuzen province. Among the smiths such as Moritsuna, Morisada, and Yoshimori, those works dated from the late Kamakura to Nanbokucho period are attributed to Ko-Kongobei.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: Mokko-shaped bone(?) tsuba.
Menuki: None.
Fuchikashira: Suaka base with openwork carving of bird feathers.
Saya (Scabbard): Lacquered saya with decorative painting of plants.

Historical Background:　This was a turbulent period during the Muromachi era marked by continuous warfare, during which many tanto were produced.

NBTHK Hozon Token
Aoi Art’s Estimation Paper with Whole Oshigata