AS25411 Wakizashi(Sunnobi Tanto): Gassan Masanobu Saku Dated: Eiroku 12, 2nd Month (February 1569)(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Ordering number:AS25411

Wakizashi(Sunnobi Tanto) in Shirasaya with Koshirae and Box (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature: Gassan Masanobu Saku
Dated: Eiroku 12, 2nd Month (February 1569)
月山正信作
永禄拾二年二月日

We divide 4 sections for each sword as Saijyo Saku, Jyojyo Saku, Jyo Saku and Regular Saku.
This sword is ranked as Jyojo Saku among the works by Gassan Masanobu.
Habaki: Double-layered habaki of gold and silver
Blade Length: 31.8 cm (12.52 in)
Curvature: 0 cm (0.00 in)
Mekugi Hole: 2
Width at Base (Motohaba): 2.56 cm (1.01 in)
Thickness of Rim (Kasane): 0.74 cm (0.29 in)
Sword Weight: 230 g
Shape:A wide and thick blade, forming a well-built piece.
The length qualifies it as an extended-length tanto, with ample thickness for its type.
Jigane:Well-forged mokume hada with ayasugi hada appearing, along with visible utsuri.
Hamon:Nie-deki in a straight suguha style.
The boshi resembles a yakitsume (burned-off tip) style.

Features:Most swordsmiths using the name “Gassan” ceased production by the Muromachi period.
During the late Edo period, Gassan Sadakazu successfully revived and recreated the ayasugi hada pattern.
Smiths like Gassan Sadakazu and Gassan Sadakatsu continued this tradition and produced many works.
This piece, dated to the 2nd month of Eiroku 12 (1569), can be considered one of the final works of the original Gassan line.
It is a healthy blade with excellent workmanship.
The inscription is naturally and skillfully engraved, making it a subject of interest.

Koshirae:
Tsuba: Iron tsuba with openwork carving of plum tree and blossoms.
Signed: Nobusane (宣寿).
Fuchikashira: Iron base with inome (boar’s eye) pattern decorated with gold.
Saya: Glossy black lacquered kuro-roiro saya with aogai chirashi (scattered mother-of-pearl) and inrō-kizami carving.
Kojiri: Iron base.
Kozuka: Iron base decorated with floral motifs in gold.
Menuki: Shakudō base with carved family crest design.

Aoi Art’s Comment:While there are many wakizashi by Gassan, tanto are extremely rare and thus considered valuable.
This blade is robust, and the presence of ayasugi hada adds to its significance.
The koshirae is also considered to be of relatively high quality.

Historical Context: Dated to 1569 (Eiroku 12)

Includes Box
NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token
Aoi Art Estimation Paper: Whole Oshigata