AS26324 Tanto: Hokuetsu Shinjo ju Masanobu Saku(NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Tanto in Shirasaya (NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Token)

Signature:
Hokuetsu Shinjo ju Masanobu Saku　北越新城住正順作
Ansei Yon(4)-no-toshi Go(5)-gatsu Kicchijitsu
(An auspicious day in May, the 4th year of Ansei [1857])
安政四之とし五月吉日

(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 the works of Hokuetsu Shinjo ju Masanob.

Habaki: Single copper habaki
Blade Length: 25.5cm (10.04in)
Curvature: 0cm (0.00in)
Mekugi-ana: 1
Motohaba: 2.70cm (1.06in)
Kasane: 1.0cm (0.39in)
Weight: 85g

Era: Edo period.　Ansei era(1857)
Shape: thick tanto with Mitsumune, Kanmuri-otoshi style
Jigane: Exceptionally clear and refined jigane with packed koitame.
Hamon: Gunome midare and notare with thick and soft nie.

Features: The inscriptions carved on the blade, “求生以” and “無害仁” meaning “Never sacrifice virtue to save your own life. “, is quoted from the Confucian Analects, Book 15, “Wei Ling Gong”: “志士仁人無求生以害仁有殺身以成仁”( the man of virtue will not seek to live at the expense of injuring their virtue. They will even sacrifice their lives to preserve their virtue complete). This passage, which teaches the virtues of moral integrity and self-sacrifice, was especially cherished by samurai during the end of Edo period. Following Commodore Perry’s arrival in Japan in 1853, Japan entered a period of intense political division over how the country should respond to foreign powers. This Confucian ideal became particularly meaningful to many samurai, and many risked or even sacrificed their lives in pursuit of their political ideals.

Little is known about Hokuetsu Shinjū Jū Masanobu (Kobayashi Masanobu). However, the crisp and well-defined file marks on the tang appears to be of the workmanship of the Hosokawa Masayoshi’s school.

NBTHK Tokubetsu Hozon Certificate
AoiArt estimation paper: Whole Oshigata

Please note: The price does not include the international shipping fees.