AS25243 Wakizashi (Sunbobi Tanto):Seiryuken Moritoshi(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Wakizashi (Sunbobi Tanto) in Shirasaya with Koshirae (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature: Seiryuken Moritoshi
Date: Bunkyu 2 Mizunoe-Inu 9th Month (September 1862)
青竜軒盛俊
文久二壬戌九月日

Shinshinto: Chujo Saku: Suo
We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This piece is ranked as Jyojyo Saku (superior grade) among works by Seiryuken Moritoshi.
Habaki: Single-layered, gold-plated
Blade Length: 35.6 cm (14.02 in)
Curvature: 0.6 cm (0.24 in)
Mekugi Hole: 1
Width at Base (Motohaba): 3.0 cm (1.18 in)
Thickness of Rim (Kasane): 0.64 cm (0.25 in)
Sword Weight: 290 g
Era: Edo period, around Bunkyu era (circa 1862)
Shape: A slightly extended tanto with solid kasane and preserved ubuha (unaltered cutting edge), indicating the blade is in very healthy condition.
Jigane: Ko-itame hada, well-forged and finely textured.
Hamon: A gentle nioiguchi with gunome-midare. The boshi is rounded and turns back with a soft temper line.

Features: Seiryuken Moritoshi, also known as Masaeemon Moritoshi of Iwakuni Domain in Suo Province, was a retained swordsmith of the Yamaguchi Iwakuni clan.
His swords were highly praised for their sharpness.
It is said that Chojunsai Tsunatoshi, the second-generation smith, frequently visited him to study.
Moritoshi re-entered Tsunatoshi’s school nine years later and then traveled across Kanto, San’in, and Kyushu to further hone his skills, eventually earning wide recognition.
He served as a retained swordsmith to the Yoshikawa family of Iwakuni and passed away in 1867 at the age of 66.
To improve cutting ability, he made longer tangs and focused on practical blade shapes.
His hamon designs were typically subdued, prioritizing sharpness over decoration.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: Vertical oval-shaped iron tsuba with openwork carving of a drum and gold detailing.
Fuchikashira: Shakudo nanako ground with engraved misu (bamboo blinds) and fans, decorated with gold.
Signature: Made by Nara Toshizaki.
Saya (Scabbard): Raden-style with scattered mother-of-pearl and brown line patterns.
Menuki: Carved motif of bow and arrows with gold detailing.
Kozuka: Shakudo nanako ground with high-relief carvings of a whip and command baton, partially highlighted in gold.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token
Aoi Art estimation paper
Whole Oshigata