AS25214 Tanto:Fujiwara Kunitomo(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Tanto in Shirasaya (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature: Fujiwara Kunitomo
藤原国儔

Shinto: Ryo-Wazamono : Jyojo Saku : Yamashiro
We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This piece is ranked as Jyojo Saku (superior work) among the works of Fujiwara Kunitomo.
Habaki: Single-layered gold-covered habaki
Blade Length: 9 sun 5 bu (28.8 cm / 11.34 in)
Curvature: 1 bu (0.3 cm / 0.12 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.44 cm (1.35 in)
Thickness (Kasane): 0.73 cm (0.29 in)
Sword Weight: 315 g
Era: Edo period, Genna era (1615–1624)
Shape: A wide and robust tanto.
Jigane: Itame-hada, tightly forged with fine texture, showing clear utsuri.
Hamon: Nie-based, notare with deep nioiguchi. The hamon works actively near the monouchi, and the boshi is deeply turned back with complex midare patterns.

Features: Fujiwara Kunitomo was active as a disciple of Kunihiro and later resided in Kyoto Horikawa.
He favored making wakizashi and hira-wakizashi.
Although many of his works bear a two-character signature, this piece features the full four-character signature “Fujiwara Kunitomo,” and is of excellent quality.
With a wide mihaba of 3.44 cm and ample thickness, it closely resembles the style of Kunihiro.
Utsuri appears clearly from the hamachi area.
The blade is nie-based with notare hamon, a deep nioiguchi that intensifies near the monouchi, and a boshi that turns deeply back in a complex midare pattern.
Fujiwara Kunitomo is said to have had a strong relationship with Kunihiro—either as his disciple or even his nephew—and their styles are extremely similar.
This piece is highly recommended.

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