AS25029 Tanto: Bizen Koku Ju Unji(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Tanto in Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature: Bizen Koku Ju Unji 備前国住雲次

We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This work is ranked as Jyojyo Saku among the works by Unji.

Habaki: Double-layered with gold foil.
Blade Length: 27.7 cm (10.9in)
Curvature: 0.0 cm (0.0in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.51 cm (0.99 in)
Thickness of Rim (Kasane): 0.62 cm (0.24 in)
Sword Weight: 195 g

Era: late Kamakura to Nanbokucho
Shape: slightly long and thick Tanto
Jigane: A mixture of Koitame and Mokume
Hamon: niebase, Suguha mixed with much Nie composing Sunagashi, Hotsure, Nijuba that blend in Jigane.

Features:
Bizen no Kuni-jū Unji was a swordsmith who worked in Ukai-shō, Bizen Province, from the late Kamakura period to the early Nanbokuchō period. There are dated works from the Shōwa, Bunpō, Kenmu eras. Within this school, there were other smiths who bore the character “Un” (雲) in their names, such as Unsho and Unju Their style differs from that of the Bizen Osafune school, incorporating Yamashiro or Yamato influences within the Bizen tradition, and showing workmanship reminiscent of the Rai and Aoe schools.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: copper Tsuba carved with a design of shells.
Menuki: a design of waves and a rabbit.
Fuchikashira: Shakudo base carved with shells.
Kurikata: imitated to a clam.
Kozuka: Shakudo with wave design.

Aoi Art’s Comment: This is a valuable signed work by Unji.
The clearly visible file marks (yasurime) are remarkable.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate
Aoi Art estimation paper
Whole Oshigata