AS25432 Tanto: Mumei (Attributed to Kashu Sanekage) (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Ordering number:AS25432

Tanto in Shirasaya, with Koshirae (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature: Mumei (Attributed to Kashu Sanekage)
無銘(加州真景)

Chuko-to (Middle Period Sword)
Ranked as Jyo Saku and Ryo Wazamono, from Kaga.
We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This blade is ranked as Jyojyo Saku among works attributed to this smith.
Habaki: Single-layer gold-covered
Blade Length: 29.1 cm (11.46 in)
Curvature: 0.3 cm (0.12 in)
Mekugi Hole: 4
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.79 cm (1.10 in)
Thickness of Rim (Kasane): 0.39 cm (0.15 in)
Sword Weight: 185 g
Era: Nanbokucho period, around Joji era (1362)
Shape: Thin tanto with a slender kasane.
Jigane: The shinogi-ji is sharp like a sword, and a bo-hi is carved in a ken-style manner.
The ko-itame hada shows utsuri patterns.
Hamon: Nie-based, with gunome-midare extending turbulently near the boshi, showing sunagashi and kinsuji.
Another description: In the Soshu-den style, with a deep nioiguchi and a boshi that breaks into midare.

Features: Kashu Sanekage is said to be a student of Ecchu Sanekage, and no signed works by him are known.
This blade features prominent itame hada and a hamon pattern reminiscent of Norishige.
With strong activity like sunagashi and kinsuji, and well-forged utsuri, this is a highly refined piece.
The hamon is of a large-scale pattern.

Koshirae: Aikuchi-style mounting
Fittings: Shakudo nanako-ji base with high-relief floral carvings and gold iroe (colored detailing).
Saya (Scabbard): Glossy black lacquer saya (kuro-roiro).
Menuki: Crest of cherry blossom and hawk feather, with gold iroe.
Kozuka: Design of flowers and butterflies, with gold iroe.
With Kogatana.

Aoi Art’s Comment: This is an excellent work attributed to Kashu Sanekage.
At first glance, it appears similar to Norishige’s works.
The nioiguchi is deep, the jigane is beautiful, and features like sunagashi and kinsuji are well present.
Among works attributed to Sanekage, this is a superior piece.

Historical Context: Around the Joji era of the Nanbokucho period (1362), Ashikaga Yoshimitsu became the third shogun.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token
Aoi Art Estimation Paper: Whole Oshigata
*Please note: The price does not include shipping fees.